Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Fire Destroys Half the Roof of Rio’s Olympic Velodrome

Investigators now seek the cause to guide roof repairs.

Overview

  • The blaze at the Parque Olímpico velodrome, reported early Wednesday, burned through about 50% of the synthetic roof.
  • Officials said there were no injuries and the interior stayed largely intact, including the cycling track and most of the Olympic Museum.
  • Roughly 60 to 80 firefighters with about 20 vehicles contained the flames and worked to protect the museum inside the venue.
  • Authorities say the fire started on the outer synthetic covering known as a lona, and they have opened formal inspections to plan the recovery.
  • The cover melted into web‑like strands that fell from the roof, a failure that now shapes safety reviews of the 2016 Olympic site’s materials and upkeep.