Edward family says Rio amazing

Rotorua's Julia Edward (front) and Sophie MacKenzie of New Zealand compete during the Lightweight Women's Double Sculls Heat 2 on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Rio is shaping up to be a "great Olympics", according to the Rotorua parents of rower Julia Edward who are in Brazil supporting their daughter.

Sue Edward said negative reports around the lead up to Rio were "disgraceful" and said she and husband Harry were having a fantastic time.

"We feel safe, the locals are friendly..."

She said Rio had created a huge amount of infrastructure to cope with the Olympics.

"The beach is fantastic, there is no talk of Zika, muggings or murders. It's not as perfect as London but we are having much more fun and it is all coming together as a great Olympics over here."

She said everyone they had met from different countries had nothing but praise for the Brazilians and the way they had put the event together.

"It is huge for them, they are trying so hard to make everything go smoothly."

Mrs Edward said the taxis were great - "cheap, very fast and a little scary but we get there".

"The streets and water are clean, the night life is really fun, amazing food and wine, incredible cafes and bars."

Julia and her rowing partner Sophie MacKenzie are scheduled to race the semifinal of the lightweight double sculls at 11.50pm tonight NZT. However Mrs Edward said the forecast was for awful wind and they were expecting the day to be cancelled.

"She is feeling positive and they hope to get through to the final. It's been really tough racing."

Mrs Edward said the two great hopes for medals, the men's and women's double sculls, missed out which was a huge shock for the team.

"If it's windy we hope it is cancelled as it is not fair racing after four years of training because the lake is shallow and so open there is chop from all directions and very dangerous for the rowing crews getting tipped out of their boats."