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The Rio Olympics: Boon or bust?

The 2016 Rio Olympic Games. What an adventure. (Eduardo GabĂŁo / Wikimedia Commons)
Roar Rookie
28th April, 2016
8

When Rio was awarded the 2016 games nine years back, Brazilians thought it would bring all kinds of good things to the country, especially to Rio.

But for some time now, the thinking has changed. A pal of mine who’s lived there for years tells me that nobody’s talking about the Games. Nobody’s excited about them because several problems loom larger than the arrival of the torch and the five rings.

For a start, the country’s president, Dilma Rousseff, is on the edge of impeachment, and her vice-president, Michel Temer, might soon be up on a corruption charge. The country’s economy is in shreds and workers are disgruntled. No less than 33 civil groups, from the police to garbage collectors, are threatening to strike a week before the Olympics are scheduled to begin.

This could seriously impact the elaborate security plans. Around 85,000 military, police and state security personnel are supposed to be on hand but it’s rumoured that the state has no funds to meet the massive overtime bill. As for venues, several are behind schedule because they’ve tested badly (much of the construction appears to be tied into a colossal financial scandal that’s toppling Ms. Rousseff’s government).

RIO OLYMPICS EVENTS SCHEDULE

Sorry to say, it gets worse. A crucial metro underground extension won’t be ready in time to be tested. It’s designed to run from Copacabana and Ipanema to Barra de Tijuca where the Olympic Park is situated, but there’s a holdup due to a $250,000 shortfall. Signs around the city that were optimistically erected to point the way to various stations have been stickered over with “Coming in 2018.”

Ready for more bad news? The Zika virus isn’t the worst that Rio’s mosquitoes can do. They also carry dengue fever, and rates for dengue – also known as breakbone fever – are through the roof. And while we’re talking about health, sailors, rowers and canoers will be plowing through a hopelessly polluted Guanabara Bay.

Triathlon contestants will be swimming off Copacabana Beach where the water contains a potent variety of harmful bacteria. According to lab tests as little as three teaspoonfuls ingested would theoretically be enough to sicken an athlete.

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It’s a sad situation for a country that, just a few years ago, was one of the stars of the BRIC countries. And it’s a sad situation for anybody that loves sports and wants to see them taking place under optimum conditions.

Good luck, Rio. There’s less than 100 days to go. Let’s hope you find a way to get past the worst of the problems and put on a good show.

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