is rio ready for the 2016 olympics? by matt doheny
TRANSCRIPT
Is Rio Ready for 2016 Olympics?By Matt Doheny
“State of Public Calamity”
One month before the Olympic Games are set to begin in Rio, the city
finds itself in an ongoing “state of public calamity” from which it may not recover in time
for the Opening Ceremony on August 5.
— Source: New York Times
Citing a severe financial crisis that is preventing the state of Rio de Janeiro from
honoring its commitments to the Games, Rio’s Governor Francisco Dornelles
warned of a potential “total collapse in public security, health, education, mobility
and environmental management.”
Government Bailout
By declaring the state of calamity, Rio will receive an $850 million bailout
from Brazil’s federal government, but it is
unclear whether this last-minute cash infusion will fix a number of critical problems surrounding
the Games.
Here are some main concerns…
Construction
Firstly, construction is
still not complete and is not scheduled to be until just days before the Games begin. Image source: www.enr.com
Contract disputes delayed the completion
of the velodrome, prompting Rio organizers to take direct control of construction on June 26.
The venue is not expected to be able to host races
until the Games officially begin.
Metrô Rio
The new metro line linking the main
Olympic Center to other Olympic venues and beaches is also not expected to open until
a mere three days before the Opening
Ceremony.
Public Safety
Measures for public safety may also be
insufficient.
Rio has experienced a number of high-profile crimes in recent weeks, perhaps at least in part because its police officers have
not been getting paid.
Part of the bailout package will distribute back pay to public safety officials this week, but concerns over whether the
government will support them enough during the period of
increased tourism brought on by the Games remain.
Water Pollution
Water pollution may also adversely affect athletes and
spectators.
Bacteria
Brazilian scientists have discovered a drug-resistant bacteria
growing off of some of the city’s most popular beaches, where athletes will compete in sports such as sailing, rowing,
and open water swimming. Image source: fultufaltu.com
These bacteria, which entered the city’s
waterways thanks to hospital sewage runoff, may
have been the cause of German Paralympic sailor Heiko Kroger’s teammate’s
severe skin infection.
At this point, only 51% of the city’s water has been treated.
Zika Virus
The Zika virus is another
public health concern.
Image source: www.dailymail.co.uk
World Health Organization
Though the WHO is confident that
precautions such as mosquito repellent and/
or long-sleeved shirts and pants will keep athletes
and tourists healthy, some athletes have chosen not
to compete in Rio.
Fortunately, the Games will take place during Brazil’s winter,
making the climate less hospitable for
mosquitoes.
However, pregnant women should not risk exposure to
Zika under any circumstances.
Finally, the shutdown of Rio’s anti-doping lab last month for “nonconformity” to international standards creates a logistical challenge for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which will have to use an outside lab to test blood and urine samples from Athletes.
With so many challenges, it is unclear how prepared Rio will be on August 5, but the city is doing everything it can to ready itself.
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• Matthew “Matt” A. Doheny holds an extensive curriculum vitae as an entrepreneur, finance expert and political pundit which features past and current successes in the industries of the investment fund, distressed asset and financial management. To contact Matt Doheny, click here.