RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Construction work on the golf course for the 2016 Olympics could be halted under a filing made by state prosecutors suing the city of Rio de Janeiro and the developer over environmental rules.
In a 27-page legal brief made public late Wednesday, prosecutors termed “laughable” proposals by the city and the course developer to modify the layout to reduce environmental impact.
A Rio judge began hearing the lawsuit two months ago. It was still not clear when he might make his decision. Thursday was a holiday in Rio.
The course, estimated by local media to be about 70 percent done, is being cut out of a nature reserve in western Rio near the main cluster of venues for the Olympics and is part of a complex of luxury apartments selling for $3 million to $7 million.
Prosecutors have argued the environment must be the primary concern – not the Olympics.