Rio 2016 says clean up target for sail bay still holds

The unnamed mascots of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games are pictured with the Copacabana beach in the background during their first appearance in Rio de Janeiro, November 23, 2014, in this handout courtesy of the Brazil Olympic Committee (COB) REUTERS/Alex Ferro/COB/Handout via Reuters

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - A pledge to clean Rio de Janeiro's bay where sailing will be held in 2016 still stands despite the state's top environment official suggesting the target was unattainable, said the Olympic organising committee.

The cleaning of Guanabara Bay was a key part of Rio's bid and has long been a goal of various local governments. Olympic sailors have complained of floating sofas and animal carcasses in the water, described as a "sewer".