IOC content with Rio 2016's progress

RIO 2016 officials were given a cautious thumbs-up by International Olympic Committee observers following the conclusion of their first three-day inspection visit.

HAPPY MAN: Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman declared himself content after the IOC's first inspection visit, they will return again next year (Getty Images)

Nawal El Moutawakel and her team expressed pleasure with how advanced venue planning was but warned organisers they must quickly establish a Olympic Delivery Authority to assist with Games organisation across all stakeholders.

"Rio has made a good start to the project", said El Moutawakel. 

"It has laid a solid foundation, but the scope of the Olympic project is immense, and it is important that no time is wasted. 

"That is why it's fantastic to note that all 26 originally planned Olympic sports now have a home and that the venue locations are secured. 

"We were also pleased to see that the whole of Brazil continues to be behind the Games, which was underlined to us by the strong support for the Games from all levels of government."

Earlier this month, Fifa warned that Brazil's preparations for the 2014 World Cup were in danger of slipping behind schedule but sports minister Orlando Silva, stage governor Sérgio Cabral, and mayor Eduardo Paes attempted to assuage any concerns.

"We have been working hard over the last seven months, and I am very glad that the Rio 2016 organising committee is formed and already operational, working to deliver on our commitments," said Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman.

"This visit was a great opportunity for us to show the steps we have taken forward in the project and to share the progress of our partners in the government with the coordination commission. 

"I am confident that this first visit helped forge a close and truthful relationship for the next six years of work ahead of us."