RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - Construction of the Olympic beach volleyball stadium at Rio's Copacabana beach was cleared to resume on Tuesday (June 14) after being frozen due to an administrative oversight, a top environmental official told AFP.

Construction had stalled just 50 days away from the start of the Olympics after authorities found that the building company had not obtained environmental clearance.

But Daniele Araujo, press officer for the city environment department, said Tuesday: "The suspension of the work was lifted today."

He said officials were examining documents submitted by the construction firm as requested by the environmental authorities.

The stadium is due to stand 21 metres tall - as high as a seven-story building.

It will cover 62,000 square meters on Copacabana beach, a protected area.

"We're always careful in areas such as the beach, which requires special attention," Rio mayor Eduardo Paes was quoted as saying on newspaper O Globo's website.

Construction work on the stadium began several weeks ago but the structure suffered damage from high waves on Sunday.

Beach users have been warned against swimming or taking part in water sports.

Several Olympic stadiums and arenas have been delayed, including the cycling velodrome which workers are racing to complete.