RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian public defenders have recommended to Rio de Janeiro's city hall and Olympic organizers that religions of African origin be represented in the ecumenical center of the Athletes Village.
Public defender Edison Santana told The Associated Press on Monday that his recommendation is based on the fact that only Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism are currently included.
Rio Games organizers said other services could be provided.
Santana said the recommendation is a way to settle the issue without a lawsuit and that organizers have 10 days to respond.
Official figures from 2010 show that out of 200 million inhabitants Brazil has almost 600,000 followers of African religions, such as Candomble, which was developed in the 19th century by Brazil's slave populations.