Two killed as monster waves destroy cycle path built for Rio Olympics

At least two people have been killed when part of a new cycle lane built ahead of the Olympic games collapsed into the ocean Rio de Janeiro. They were among several cyclists who reportedly fell into the water when a 50m section of the cycle way collapsed as it was battered by waves. Their bodies were recovered from the sea by fire and rescue crews. Concremat, the company which built the bike lane, said it had a technical team evaluating the causes of the accident.

People stopped on the bike lane. They were taking pictures of the waves - they were huge. Then I saw the biggest one ever. It lifted the cycleway and a piece came off. I saw the people falling. It is really sad

Witness Damiao Pinheiro

The 3km cycle way was built along a winding road that’s part of the route for road cycling and links Ipanema and Copacabana beaches to the site of the Olympic Park. At the opening earlier this year, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes called it “the most beautiful bike path in the world”. No Olympic events are planned for the cycle way, which was built as an urban regeneration project to spruce up the city for the Games in August. The accident happened hours after the ceremony to light the Olympic flame ahead of its journey to Brazil was held in Greece.

I thought he was joking. I never imagined a newly built bike path would collapse. I went slowly to the edge of the cliff. Then drivers started shouting at me warning of the risk.

Ademir Guedes said he was cycling along the path before someone warned him of the danger

rio cycle