The mayor of Rio de Janeiro decided to make a joke about kangaroos in response to Australia’s decision to pull its athletes out of the Olympic village due to a host of safety and hygiene concerns.
Work is underway to fix the Australian section of the athletes’ village in Rio after the country’s chef de mission Kitty Chiller confirmed Aussie athletes already in the city will stay at hotels.
The decision was made after management undertook a series of tests that revealed water leaks, unlit stairwells and blocked toilets.
“Water came down walls, there was a strong smell of gas in some apartments and there was ‘shorting’ in the electrical wiring,” Chiller said.
In response, Rio mayor Eduardo Paes had this intriguing thought process.
“I almost feel like putting a kangaroo in front of their building to make them feel at home,” Paes was quoted as saying by several Brazilian media outlets.
Rio mayor responds to Team #Australia criticism of athletes' village by offering to "put a Kangaroo there to make them feel at home"#Rio2016
— Wyre Davies (@WyreDavies) July 24, 2016
Paes went on to say that officials in the Brazilian city are working to fix the issues raised by the Australian Olympic Committee.
“Adjustments that have to be made will be made, and we will have the appropriate structure,” Paes said.
“As hosts, what we want it for everyone to feel at home … It is natural that you have some kind of adjustments to do, but we will make Australians feel at home here.”
Australian athletes are unlikely to move into the village for at least another two days, even though the Games are edging closer, with the opening ceremony to be held on Friday August 5.
However Chiller was steadfast in her refusal to allow the athletes under her charge to live in the conditions currently available at the village.
“Due to a variety of problems in the village including gas, electricity and plumbing, I have decided that no Australian team member will move into our allocated building,” Chiller said.
