f them, and they did a great job under tough circumstance

In an unusually blunt public warning, a vice-president of the International Olympic Committee on Tuesday called the delayed preparations for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro "the worst I have experienced." John Coates, who has made six trips to Brazil as part of the IOCs co-ordination commission for Rio, said the Brazilians are behind "in many, many ways" and are in worse shape than Greek organizers were in preparing for the 2004 Olympics. Despite the critical delays, the Australian said there is no backup plan and the games will take place in Rio. Coates noted that the IOC had taken the unprecedented step of embedding experts in the host city to help the local organizing committee deliver the games. "The IOC has formed a special task force to try and speed up preparations but the situation is critical on the ground," Coates told an Olympic forum in Sydney, outlining that construction delays are just part of the problem. "The IOC has adopted a more hands-on role. It is unprecedented for the IOC, but there is no plan B. We are going to Rio." Brazil has also come under fire from footballs world governing body, FIFA, for long delays in construction of stadiums and other infrastructure and the overdue delivery of venues for the World Cup, which kicks off in June. Two years out from the 2016 Olympics, the situation on the construction front is just as bleak. "We have become very concerned. They are not ready in many, many ways," Coates said. "And this is against a city thats got social issues that also have to be addressed; a country thats also trying to deal with the FIFA World Cup coming up in a few months." Coates said dealing with three levels of government in Brazil made it harder for local organizers than it was for the heavily criticized organizers of the Athens Games, which were also plagued by construction delays and earned a "yellow light" warning from then-IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch. "I think this is a worse situation than Athens," Coates said. "In Athens, we were dealing with one government and some city responsibilities. Here, theres three. "There is bureaucracy, there is little co-ordination between the federal, the state government and the city -- which is responsible for a lot of the construction. The flow of funds from the federal government is not happening quickly enough. We think we need to help facilitate that." Coates, who chairs the IOC co-ordination commission for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said he thinks the IOC has put the message across in Brazil. "We have to make it (the Olympics) happen and that is the IOC approach, you cant walk away from this," he said. "If it comes off -- the first (Olympic) Games on the South American continent, in a magical city in so many ways -- itll be a wonderful experience for the athletes." Work hasnt begun at Deodoro, a complex for eight Olympics sports venues, and the course that will host golfs return to the Olympic program for the first time in more than a century doesnt have grass yet. Water pollution is a big worry for sailing and other sports. Concern over the delays has been building over time but hit crisis levels at the SportAccord meeting in Belek, Turkey, earlier this month. In a rare display of unified, open criticism against an Olympic host, 18 sports federations publicly aired concerns over Rios preparations, with some sports asking about "Plan B" contingencies. The IOC has decided to send a senior troubleshooter, IOC executive director Gilbert Felli, to Brazil as part of a series of emergency measures to tackle the delays threatening the games. Coates said other experienced, high-level staff will soon be appointed. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes fired back last week at the complaints by sports federations, saying they were making too many unnecessary demands. 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Not sure yet. #livetweetingthegreatuntangle — Strombone (@strombone1) April 17, 2014 Stage three, coping: I feel like I could use a cigarette or something.SAN ANTONIO - The Portland Trail Blazers know firsthand how cold and methodical the veteran San Antonio Spurs can be when they have a team in trouble.So when the defending champions failed to close out the Blazers in the first two overtimes, Portland point guard Damian Lillard had a simple message for his teammates.Step on them, Lillard said.Lillard provided the boot, scoring a career-high 43 points, including 16 after regulation, as the Trail Blazers handed the Spurs their second straight defeat in triple overtime by rallying for a 129-119 victory Friday night.LaMarcus Aldridge had 32 points and 16 rebounds, and Wesley Matthews added 16 points as Portland (21-6) extended its winning streak to four games.The Spurs overwhelmed the young Trail Blazers in the Western Conference semifinals last season, winning three games at home in rolling to a 4-1 series victory en route to their fifth NBA title.So, winning in San Antonio in the manner it did was particularly special for Portland.This was a big win for us, probably our best win of the season, Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts said.The Spurs have lost three straight overtime games at home, including a 117-116 defeat in three OTs to Memphis on Wednesday.It was the first time a team has played consecutive triple-overtime games since the Baltimore Bullets did so in December 1951.San Antonio failed to take advantage of another stellar performance by veteran Tim Duncan, who had 32 points and 10 rebounds.Timmy in particular was a Back to the Future type of deal, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. He was amazing.Danny Green had 27 points and Tiago Splitter scored 14 for San Antonio (17-10).Just as they did against Memphis, the Spurs had plenty of opportunities to beat the Trail Blazers.San Antonio scored the initial six points in each of the first two overtimes, but failed to hold the lead.They had two opportunities to step on us, Lillard said. The door was left open a little bit and we forced another overtime two times, which is not what people do to them. They usually finish you off. We got in a situation that they got in the first two overtimes and I wanted us to know that we just did it to them two times so dont get excited and dont think that what we did was easy, weve got to be better. We did that.Lillard decimated San Antonios hopes almost singlehandedly, scoring the first nine points in the third OTT, including crossing up Green for a 20-foot jumper and a 120-112 lead with 3:04 remaining.ddddddddddddLillards ensuing 3-pointer gave Portland a 123-112 advantage, prompting Popovich to empty his bench.Hes a special player, Green said. That last OT he just took over pretty much. It didnt matter what we threw at him, he attacked the rim well for them.Lillard had help.Steve Blakes 3-pointer with 30.2 seconds left in the second overtime gave Portland a 112-110 lead and Cory Joseph tied the game 7 seconds later on a floating jumper.Duncan hit consecutive turnaround jumpers early in the first overtime, but Aldridge grabbed a missed 3 by Matthews that didnt touch the rim and fed Lillard, who drained a tying 3-pointer with 13.6 seconds remaining.That led to another tough loss for the Spurs, who play in Dallas on Saturday.Im proud of the whole team and what they have done, Popovich said. Its a different group every night. It would almost be better if you had two guys injured, and you knew it for three months. It is different every night, and it keeps them out of rhythm. We are wearing some guys down, though. Timmy is a big worry in that respect and so is Manu (Ginobili). (But) Im really proud of them, and they did a great job under tough circumstances.___TIP-INSTrail Blazers: Lillards previous career high was 41 points on Jan. 7, 2014, against Sacramento. ... Portland F Nicholas Batum (right wrist and left knee contusion) missed his fifth game this season.Spurs: Duncan is one game shy of tying former Lakers forward A.C. Green for 19th in career games played. Duncan, in his 18th season, has played in 1,277 games.LINE CHANGEPopovich subbed his entire starting lineup once in each quarter, doing so at the 6:41, 9:39, 7:18 and 9:06 marks of each respective period. Popovich said he did the mass substitutions to keep his team fresh after the long game Wednesday.First time experiencing that here, and anywhere, honestly, Green said. I think it was good to keep our energy up and to keep us fresh. It was 5 minutes at a time, about. Were low on energy right now. Were low on bodies.UP NEXTTrail Blazers: Visit New Orleans on Saturday.Spurs: Visit Dallas on Saturday.SAME PLANWhen the Spurs play Dallas on Saturday, it will be Rajon Rondos first game since being traded by the Boston Celtics to the Mavericks. It doesnt change what we do, Popovich said. ' ' '