The civil unrest in Brazil has made the 2016 Olympics the “most difficult” the International Olympic Committee has encountered, according to vice-president John Coates.

Political and economic unrest has led to the Games being blighted by protests in Rio, with large numbers of Brazilians unhappy at the cost of staging the event.

Watch protests mar Olympic torch relay in Rio de Janeiro #Rio2016https://t.co/CtCU5Wh0Ob

— Press Association (@PA) August 4, 2016

The Olympic torch was attacked as it arrived in the city last week, while there have been a number of other security issues including an attack on a media bus and a stray bullet being fired into the roof of the equestrian media centre.

Speaking on the BBC’s Today programme, Coates admitted it had been a testing Olympics so far.

“It’s been very difficult, the most difficult Games we have ever encountered in terms of political and economic background,” he said.

“Seven years ago when (Rio) were selected they were on the verge of being a top five GDP (Gross Domestic Product) nation in the world. They’re 74th now and it’s been a struggle.”