Firefighters battle blaze near competition venues in Rio’s north

The fire was reportedly a controlled burn off that got out of control and spread due to high winds with ash reportedly falling on the nearby Hockey Center field where the field hockey Olympic tournament is being hosted and threatening the Olympic Mountain Bike Center as well as other venues at the X-Park.

Strong winds are fuelling the blaze, which according to Globo News is burning near the Olympic Shooting Centre in Deodoro.

The fire is clearly visible from a number of Olympic venues including the Hockey Centre.

“Following careful assessment carried out this morning, the Union Cycliste Internationale can confirm that the Rio 2016 Mountain Bike course has not suffered any damage which will affect the competition or the integrity of the venue”, a statement read.

Update: The AFP reports that the UCI determined that the mountain bike course was not damaged by the wildfire. Practice on the course was scheduled for Wednesday.

Rio 2016 organisers have not commented on the fire but cycling’s governing body, the UCI, said it would assess the course on Tuesday to determine whether competition could continue as planned. “It is understood the fire is now under control”. The scorching temperatures later gave way to torrential rain in Rio that caused a delay at the track and field venue.