Rio halts work on Olympic beach volleyball venue

Rio de Janeiro, June 12 (IANS) Rio de Janeiro's city government has suspended construction work at the beach volleyball venue for this year's Olympic Games after organisers failed to present the necessary permit, officials have said.

The Rio 2016 organising committee said it would submit documents required to obtain the permit on Monday and ruled out any delays, reports Xinhua.

The venue on Copacabana beach covers 62 square metres and its highest point is 21 metres above the ground.

The main court will have seating capacity for 12,000 spectators. It will be flanked by seven other courts: two for warm-up purposes and five for practice sessions.

Brazil has won more Olympic volleyball medals than any other nation with 11 podium finishes since the sport's Games debut in Atlanta 20 years ago.

The Rio Olympics will be staged from August 5 to 21.

--IANS

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