Rio Course Gets Legal Go-Ahead


A judge has denied a request to halt work on the golf course underway for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Prosecutors filed a motion to halt construction on the project because of environmental concerns.

Judge Eduardo Antonio Klausner said in his decision that there is "no new fact justifying . . . a halt in the implementation of the golf course for the Olympics."

Though the judge issued the order, he can still reconsider his decision if further evidence is brought forward. It wasn't certain if state prosecutors would appeal Wednesday's ruling, but legal challenges were expected to continue.

The big issue is the project's environmental impact, particularly the preservation of local vegetation. The latest sticking point was the relocation of the 12th hole to create a wildlife corridor and preserve the vegetation. Judge Klausner also noted the golf course turf doesn't endanger local plants.

The course, designed by American Gil Hanse, is 70 percent complete. Officials are seeking to finish the layout before the South American summer growing season begins, noting the course needs two full growing seasons in order to be playable.

Test events were originally scheduled for late 2015 and early 2016. But it's uncertain that, with the most recent and previous delays associated with ownership of the various properties comprising the site of the course, whether those will be held.