The main ramp of Marina da Gloria, the sailing venue of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, has partially collapsed, raising further questions about the quality of construction in the Olympic host city.

Philip Wilkinson, a spokesman for the Rio 2016 organising committee, said high tides and stormy seas on Saturday were to blame for the damage. The collapsed structure, which is temporary, is the main access point for boats to reach the water. No one was injured in the incident.

Wilkinson said the construction company responsible for the project has been contacted and was expected to make the repairs within four days. Sailing competitions begin on 8 August.



Training will not be affected as the boats can use the permanent ramp to the side of the damaged structure, Rio 2016’s spokesman said. Mark Adams, International Olympic Committee spokesman, said “it would be wrong to make a great deal” of the Marina da Gloria incident. “In the run-up to the games, things happen,” Adams said.

World Sailing said in a statement that it is following closely the efforts to fix the ramp. Spokesman Malcolm Page said that a coach boat pontoon was also damaged on Saturday.

Construction workers are seen repairing the broken boat ramp at the Olympic sailing venue at Marina da Gloria. Photograph: Lukas Coch/EPA

In another incident caused by strong winds in Rio, water inundated TV studios on Copacabana Beach near the volleyball arena. Iron boards were used to contain the waves.

Rio’s construction standards have been under heavy criticism since April, when a new elevated bike path that was heralded as a top legacy project of the Rio Olympics collapsed, killing two people.