Rio Olympic village 85 percent complete

An aerial view of the site for the 2016 Rio Olympics

Rio de Janeiro, July 22 (IANS): Construction of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic village is 85 percent complete and due to be concluded by the end of 2015.

There are 31 buildings, each with 17 floors, divided into seven condominiums. The 3,604 apartments and 10,160 bedrooms will have a total capacity of 18,000 guests, Xinhua reported citing the construction consortium Ilha Pura.

The village is being constructed next to Barra Olympic Park and will be at the heart of the Games.

"Eighty-five percent of the work has been completed and workers are focusing the final phase on the construction site," said Mauricio Cruz, general director of Ilha Pura.

Temporary structures will include a health centre, a cafeteria with space for 5,000 diners and a gym.

"On July 24, 2016, the village will open to welcome the athletes. To make them feel more comfortable, the buildings include wider doors and elevators capable of handling up to two wheelchairs at the same time," said Cruz.

"We will take charge of the village on March 1, 2016. At that moment, we will begin the structural transformation and the installation of cabling and furniture, among other things. We will have sufficient time for all the necessary structural testing and to allow the suppliers and the team that will work there to gain access," said Mario Cilenti, the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic village director.