Every four years, the Olympics bring together some of the world’s most elite athletes set to compete against each other while representing their country’s title. Each of these athletes have already proven they are the best respectively in their own country but have now come to claim the title of best in the world. Security wise, a lot is at stake when you bring the top athletes from the world into one country for almost three weeks. The host county needs to be on their A game, demonstrating their culture, history and values on the main stage while providing enough resources to keep their visitors in awe. With all the press, tourism and revenue that result from hosting the Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil sure has had their fair share of red flags before the games even began--should we be concerned?
The Health Crisis
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Let me get something straight. The crystal clear blue waters we see in travel magazines and on TV are purely an illusion. Do not be fooled, the water in Rio de Janeiro is anything but crystal clear.
Increases of polluted waters such as those on Brazil’s Guanabara Bay were promised to be clear of sewage before the Olympic games began. Areas such as these are set to host a majority of the Olympic events, including sailing and crew. Months prior to the games, the Brazilian government pledged to rid the waters of 80 percent of the sewage and trash already residing in it--but the opening ceremony has past, the torch has been lit, and they have still failed to make any long-term improvements to the dangerous situation at hand.
Exactly how polluted are these waters? According to The Associated Press, the bay’s water was disgustingly infested with “disease-causing viruses directly linked to human sewage at levels up to 1.7 million times what would be considered highly alarming in the U.S. or Europe.” Sound bad enough? Just think that we will have our athletes competing in those waters. I am not a germ-a-phobe by any means but the thought of a wave splashing on faces or getting into someones cut makes me cringe. Rio has tried to put the Olympic committee’s fears at ease by installing temporary “eco-barriers” that are said to withhold the trash and pollution clear of the main parts of the bay. The ICO has insisted that the waters will be safe for the athletes but still have yet to runs their own tests the waters.
Whether these barriers of Guanabara Bay will work or not, the botched clean up of Brazil’s water crisis is an example of The Olympics’ failure to carry out the word that Brazilian politicians and Olympic organizers made to bring the games to Rio in the first place.
The Economic Crisis
Another red flag that comes to mind when talking about Olympics prep in Brazil is the crippling recession taking place. Brazil’s fortunes have changed drastically since originally winning the hosting rights in 2009. Right out of the gate, Rio started planning the 2016 summer Olympics when Brazil was in the middle of an economic boom, seemly setting the stage for a mind-blowing Olympics. Since then, things have flipped and Brazil is set to host in the midst of what is the worst recession in the last 100 years.
Within the last two years the unemployment in Rio has risen to an overwhelming 11 percent and wages have nosedived. Even though the games are projected to bring in close to 30 billion in foreign investment and economic impact that still will not be enough to offset overspending what has already been removed and ‘reformed’, such as the 77,000 Brazilians that have been forcefully evicted from their homes in order to make new Olympic parks and other venues for the games. Entire neighborhoods removed to make for more Olympics arenas played a major part in the economic stress, unemployment surge, and homelessness incline.
The Political Crisis
The chaos breaking out when the Olympic games are right around the corner is overwhelming. But whom do the Brazilian civilians look to for answers? It is definitely is not their president. In December, a corruption scandal was leaked, encouraging Brazil’s legislature to promote an effort to impeach president, Dilma Rousseff. Charges included misusing federal funds to obscure the size of Brazil’s deficit, which violates federal law. She is also under investigation on whether she took illegal campaign contributions from a private party.
Although Rouddeff’s popularity has fallen from the graces, Brazilians are not thrilled with the successor set in place. Michel Temer is now acting as the country’s interim president but is privately facing legal troubles of his own. Corruption and deceit run deep in the Brazilian government, and 60 percent of Brazilians want Temer to face impeachment charges as well. While the political turmoil will not directly affect The Olympics itself, it definitely does not boast well for the host’s reputation or reliability. The Olympic games are supposed to be a cheerful, joyous, united event the nations share with another. The political unrest of the host country will rub off on the vibe projected to its visitors.
Amongst the medical, economical, and political concern Brazil is facing in the beginning stages of the games, they are still confident in making the 2016 Rio de Janerio Olympics the best one yet. Yet, from a concerned fan’s aspect, it is hard to cheer for our country with all the red flags being waved and policies being swept under the carpet. Safety for the county as a whole as well as its guests should have been the number one concern and Brazil needs to acknowledge that.
In addition to the wide spread Zika virus at hand in the heart of Rio and the additional dangerous incidents that was not expanded upon by the news outlets, such as muggings and violence that have taken place since the Olympics have started, it is no wonder why foreigners are hesitant when traveling to Rio. I understand the rich culture Brazil has to offer but the insignificant implementation of safety controls or regulations regarding health, politics, and the economy is appalling and frankly, scary.
