New images have revealed shocking damage to the Olympic velodrome in Rio following a large fire.
A fire broke out on Wednesday at the venue, which hosted track cycling competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Drone footage showed flames raging on the velodrome roof, with firefighters battling to control the blaze.
The Rio state military fire department (CBMERJ) revealed a 14-hour operation had been required to extinguish the fire.
No injuries were reported.
In a statement, the fire department confirmed that the interior of the building – including the track and Olympic museum – had not been damaged.
‘After 14 hours of operation, the fire department controls the fire at the Olympic park,’ the statement read.
‘CBMERJ finished the work for the aftermath of the fire that hit the velodrome of the Olympic Park, in Barra da Tijuca. Teams are still at the scene for preventive monitoring.
‘The operation included 85 firefighters from 13 units, more than 25 vehicles and use of thermal cameras for strategic action.
‘Rapid response was crucial to contain the fire, which was confined to the structure’s canvas, without reaching the interior of the building.
‘The internal space, including the Olympic Museum, has been preserved.’
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere added: ‘It [the track] remains intact and well-preserved.
‘Obviously, it will need to be cleaned and undergo some form of maintenance before we can announce that the velodrome is back in operation.’
It is the third time the velodrome, where Britain won six Olympic and eight Paralympic gold medals in 2016, has caught fire.
The roof of the velodrome sustained damage twice in 2017, with the fires linked to falling paper sky lanterns.
The releasing of lanterns is illegal in Brazil due to fire risks, but has remained a common occurrence.
