Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is insisting Brazil will be ready to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics. His comments come in the wake of statements from Sports Minister Orlando Silva, warned that local officials must speed up work to upgrade the nation's airports to avoid an "embarrassment" during the World Cup.

"There are no delays either for the World Cup or for the Olympics,” said Silva, who leaves office at the end of the year. “We have the will, the money and the commitment, and everything is set for the best World Cup, the best Confederations Cup (2013), the best Military Games (2011) and the best Olympics in the world. ... We made the decisions that we had to make and gave the money to the states so they can do their part,” the president said.

In addition to Silva's statements, International Air Transport Association head Giovanni Bisignani said Brazil's "air transport infrastructure is a growing disaster."