Controversial golf course handed over to Rio chiefs

The golf course to be used for the 2016 Rio Olympics, which was at the centre of a series of delays and environmental disputes, was handed over to Games organisers Sunday.

Situated at Barra da Tijuca to the west of the teeming city, the $10.6 million course which boasts an artificial lake and is spread over 970,000 square metres was built despite Rio already having two golf courses.

However, they were deemed to be not suitable for the Olympics.

"The course is ready for the Olympic Games," said Rio mayor Eduardo Paes.

"We were told that this area was an environmental preservation zone, but this is wrong. We have reclaimed some of the ground and restored vegetation."

The course has been built with private finance and after the Olympics it will become a public facility on a 20-year lease under the control of the Brazilian Golf Federation.