By Michael Place

RIO DE JANEIRO http://www.eccodressshoessale.com/ecco-dress/ecco-harold.html , Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The International Olympic Committee's vice president, John Coates, triggered controversy in April when he described preparations for the Rio 2016 Games as the "worst" he had seen.

If his comments were designed to jolt local organizers into action, the plan seems to have worked.

A host of competition sites are beginning to take shape ahead of next year's official test events.

Among them is the Barra Olympic Park, which will boast seven new venues in addition to the existing Rio Olympic Arena and Maria Lenk Aquatics Center.