Demonstrations, violent crime, infrastructure failures and poverty are set to greet spectators this weekend in an event that some economists say could mean upward of $15 billion in losses for Brazil.
1st EVENT: WASTE AND STEAL
Brazilians are tangled in a state of political turmoil and economic uncertainty that was not as apparent in 2009, when the decision was made to hold the games in Rio. The Olympic Games will cost Brazil $20 billion and return only $4 billion to $4.5 billion — a steep price to pay for propaganda to show how nice a country is that is plagued with infrastructure problems and endemic poverty. Awarding the games to developing countries like Brazil as a relatively new phenomenon.
The International Olympic Committee sells the games to countries on the promise that it will help them, but evidence suggests that long-term benefits are not forthcoming.
About 9 percent Brazil’s roughly 200 million people lived on less than $3.10 per day in 2013, according to the World Bank. The decision to host the games in Rio was made in 2009, during what appeared to be an upswing for the Brazilian economy, but that the outlook has now become considerably cloudier.
This year Brazil’s Senate impeached Dilma Rousseff — the country’s first female president, who helped deliver the games to Rio — over accusations that she faked accounts in order to portray a more optimistic economic outlook during her re-election bid in 2014.
2nd EVENT: CRIMECRAFT
More than 150 congressmen have been accused of corruption, and political protests have become a regular feature on the streets of Rio. Of course there are much more criminal politics as most crimes politicians do are hidden. They are also given favored treatment by the Justice and do not get punished as ordinary citizen. Logically, they should be MORE punished as they carry a social responsibility. Known politicians suspected for crimes are published at: http://congressoemfoco.uol.com.br/noticias/lista-dos-deputados-com-pendencias-criminais-no-stf/
Last week a foot and other body parts appeared on a shore where next week Olympians will be playing volleyball. The body parts were a stark reminder that Brazil has a serious problem with murder. An NPR report noted that almost 60,000 people were murdered in Brazil in 2014, most with guns, making it what it called “the deadliest place in the world outside Syria.”
Organized crime in Rio de Janeiro is controlled by major drug gangs, the council reports. Low-level criminal activity continues to plague visitors and businesses alike. Drug dealing, petty theft and vehicle break-ins are common. In some sectors of the city, organized crime has replaced government. Surprisingly, many of these slum sectors under mafia govern are more safe and better organized than ordinary districts. The beaches, which will be used for the games and by vacationing visitors, are not safe, as gang assaults are common on beaches.
Rio police are “cleaning up” before the events, which probably is sparking the recent rise in deaths caused by police.
3d EVENT: RUNNING ON POOR INFRASTRUCTURE
The recent opened metro extension in Rio transports people to and from Olympic venues and tourist beaches, the north and west of the city where the majority of working people live continue in miserable infrastructure conditions. As in other Brazilian cities, Public transport is extremely poor and driving is like being in a parking lot because of the constant traffic.
4th EVENT: WATERPOOPING
The waterways in most Brazilian urban centers are contaminated with raw human sewage and Rio is no exception. Athletes are recommended “Don’t Put Your Head Underwater”. The waters around Rio where athletes will compete are disgusting, toxic, and dangerous. There are huge amounts of trash, human waste, and pathogens in the waters including rotaviruses that can cause diarrhea and vomiting as well as drug-resistant super bacteria that can be fatal to people with weakened immune systems.
Brazil claims that the waters where swimmers will compete meet World Health Organization standards. Windsurfers will compete in a more polluted area, but the government says it’s fine since they won’t be exposed to the water as much. “We just have to keep our mouths closed when the water sprays up,” said Dutch sailor Afrodite Zegers. U.S. Olympian Megan Kalmoe say “I will row through shit for you, America.”
It’s not just the athletes who are at risk. The water is filthy even on upscale beaches where some of the half-million Olympic spectators perhaps take a dip. When Rio made its bid, Brazil pledged to spend $4 billion to clean up the water, but only ended up spending $170 million. That´s 4% of promise. Critics claim that most of what has actually been spent was wasted on cosmetic fixes, like trash-collecting boats that pick up larger items and dead bodies but nothing to remove the potentially deadly microorganisms infesting the waters.
For Rio natives, the promise of the Olympic Games was a reversal of fortunes for Guanabara Bay. Rehabilitation won’t even be in the public discussion after the games leave town. In a very real sense, the Olympics were supposed to elevate the health of Rio de Janeiro, which would be in keeping with an event that is supposed to celebrate the very best of the human body and human spirit.
5th EVENT: TURTLEWRESTLING
In Brazil, constructions always delay and many times apparent problems. The Games are featured by the sound of jackhammers from the very delayed and unfinished construction projects and the agony of massive traffic jams stinks and sounds well for the city of over 6 million people that under the Olympic Games receives an influx of hundreds of thousands more.
In April of this year a massive wave on the city’s Atlantic shore reached up and ripped away a 50-yard stretch of Ciclovia Tim Maia, a bike path created for the Olympic games. The incident killed at least two people and resurrected worries about Rio’s readiness to tackle such a massive project.
RESULT RIO 2016 – MORE HARM THAN GOOD
Many social media users are already calling the games in Brazil “the worst Olympics ever”.
Lu Zhimin from the Chinese team says the biggest task for the athletes this year is to “come back alive”. “Be sure to double-check the gymnastic equipment!” The Rio 2016 Games cannot make magic and show Brazil in glory, they will bring more harm than good.
…And don´t forget, keep your mouth closed, the reason for Brazilians is not the bad water as the consequences not to shut up , so keep on smiling!
South Africa Today – World News – Brazil
