Rio Olympic Stadium Has Power, Water Cut Over Unpaid Bills

It's hard running hurdles in the dark.

The athletes competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics may have bright futures, but the stadium set to host many of them is awfully dim.

A payment dispute between the Botafogo soccer club (which plays at the Nilton Santos Stadium) and the Rio de Janeiro government means the arena's utility bills have gone unpaid for several months.

As a result, the stadium has been without electricity since last week, while water was shut off over a month ago, The Associated Press reports. The total amount owed sits at around 1 million reals, or $250,000.

An aerial view shows the Nilton Santos Stadium (formerly known as the Joao Havelange Stadium) on April 11, 2013, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The stadium, set to host track and field events at the 2016 Summer Olympics, has been without power and water over a payment dispute.
An aerial view shows the Nilton Santos Stadium (formerly known as the Joao Havelange Stadium) on April 11, 2013, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The stadium, set to host track and field events at the 2016 Summer Olympics, has been without power and water over a payment dispute.
Buda Mendes/STF via Getty Images

The 45,000-seat stadium will be home to the Olympic track and field events when the games open on Aug. 5.

It was originally constructed in 2007, then shuttered for two years of repairs in 2013 after officials discovered the roof was in danger of collapsing, according to Reuters.

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