Rio court green lights construction of Olympic golf course

Sao Paulo, March 25 (IANS)

The construction for the Olympic golf course can continue after a Rio de Janeiro judge cleared a hurdle by rejecting prosecutors' request to halt the construction. It was the second consecutive legal defeat on Tuesday by prosecutors who claim the course is being built without the necessary environmental impact studies and other legal requirements, reports Xinhua.

Another judge had previously ordered changes to the course's layout to attend to the environmental concerns, but also denied the request to put construction on hold. A work stoppage at this point could keep the course from being completed in time for the Games.

The local Olympic organising committee has scheduled the first golf test event for November.

Golf returns to the Olympic Games after a 112-year absence.