IOC boss Thomas Bach hails Rio Olympics 2016 as 'iconic'

Rio de Janeiro: IOC president Thomas Bach said Saturday that the troubled Rio Olympics, marked by financial crisis and empty stadiums, have been "iconic" and Brazil have been "great" hosts.

Bach said he would be ready to award the Olympics to Rio again despite the criticisms that have been made.

Bach said Rio had staged "iconic Games" and that "the Brazilians were altogether great hosts."

The International Olympic Committee president`s end of Games description of the event is much awaited, particularly in the case of Rio de Janeiro whose buildup was hit by political and financial crisis.

There were budget cutbacks in the buildup and since the Games started on August 5 there has been widespread comment about empty stadiums.

"These are iconic Olympic Games in many respects," he said highlighting the many athletic records and achievements such as Kosovo winning a gold medal on its first Olympic Games.

The sports movement leader said the IOC "has shown that it is possible to organise the Olympic Games in countries which are not at the top of the GDP ranking."

He added that it had been good for the Games to see the "social reality" in Rio, a city marked by violent crime and huge wealth disparities.