RIO DE JANEIRO, July 28: Rio’s mayor and Australia buried the hatchet in a row over shambolic conditions at the Olympic Village but controversy lingered, as a new poll showed Brazilians are deeply gloomy about the Games.
Mayor Eduardo Paes kissed Australia delegation chief Kitty Chiller on the cheek, handed her a symbolic key to the city and apologized for the construction hiccups at the Village, which included blocked toilets, dangerous wiring and leaks.
“I saw the things. This was the worst building. I recognize the problems you faced,” a repentant Paes said.
Paes’ speech was a far cry from his apparently combative reaction Sunday after Chiller lambasted the accommodations as the worst she’d seen in five Olympics.
The mayor’s quip that a kangaroo should be sent to make the Australians feel better fell flat, being widely interpreted as a jibe and quickly surfacing on Twitter as #kangaroogate.
Paes explained Wednesday he’d not meant any harm and offered “a formal apology, almost a diplomatic thing.”
Flanked by Australian athletes, Chiller praised Brazil for the “passion and the commitment” in carrying out emergency repairs — and gave Paes a stuffed kangaroo.
However, new concerns emerged over the race to finish the Village with just nine days to go before the August 5 opening ceremony. (AGENCIES)
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