Summer Olympics in Brazil: what to do

Diana Hignutt · Jun 18, 2016

Economic instability, pissed off populace, deadly epidemic, polluted waters...it sounds like it's going be quite a party down there this summer.

clintl · Jun 18, 2016

robeiae said:
And the hits just keep on comin'...

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/18/americas/brazil-rio-state-emergency-funding-olympics/index.html

The state of Rio is different from the city, itself, to be sure. And it's the state that's asking for help. The city's mayor claims everything is fine in the city.

But I have my doubts that everything is going to be ready in time. I think it's all going to come apart just before the Games start. We'll see, I guess...

We'll see. I don't know what will happen. But it seems like every Summer Olympics, there's worry about something.

2004 - Athens wasn't going to finish the facilities in time, or it was going to be attacked by terrorists during the Olympics.
2008 - Everyone was going to die from Beijing's killer smog.
2012 - I don't remember London's issue, but I think there was something.

My guess - they'll surprise everyone and pull it off somehow.

robeiae · Jun 18, 2016

It just seems like Rio is being threatened by multiple issues, each of which on its own is plenty bad.

CassandraW · Jun 18, 2016

Can I change my vote?

I think they should cancel the Olympics and instead do an episode of Naked and Afraid.

Alessandra Kelley · Jun 18, 2016

Ah, no mention yet that the entire Russian Track and Field team has been banned from competing in the Olympics?

Apparently government-sanctioned and overseen performance-enhancing drugs are a humongous no-no and egregiously continuing them for years and years tries the patience even of the Olympics committee. Or something.

regdog · Jun 22, 2016

Jaguar in Amazon torch relay shot dead. Apparently using a wild animals around people and an open flame as a prop for photo ops is a bad idea. The jaguar slipped her restraint and attacked a soldier. She was shot and killed after tranquilizer didn't work.

Link

robeiae · Jun 22, 2016

McIlroy out.

In a statement released today, McIlroy confirmed that he would not be competing: "After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for this summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.

"After speaking with those closest to me, I've come to realize that my health and my family's health comes before anything else. Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take."

Cyia · Jun 22, 2016

clintl said:
My guess - they'll surprise everyone and pull it off somehow.

I wouldn't bet on it.

With the increased costs of hosting an Olypmic games, the decreased return and the often lack of use for facilities after the fact, many countries can't shoulder the burden of the "honor" of being chosen. We saw cities back out of the last ballot due to the ridiculous demands from the IOC. The fans, who are the ones that will make or break the economy of the games, are increasingly less tolerant of host nations' "cultural quirks" (like killing dogs or violent, anti-LGBT stances, or the way they treat people living in the areas earmarked for the games)

With one of the major national teams blackballed, rumors of disease and unsafe/unclean water facilities, and depending on how many others back out, Brazil may be the crack that runs too deep for the games to fully recover.

Alessandra Kelley · Jun 23, 2016

Rio's Governor Declares 'State Of Calamity' Ahead Of Olympic Games

Just seven weeks before the opening ceremony of the Olympics, the governor of Rio de Janeiro has declared a "state of calamity." Interim Governor Francisco Dornelles says the state's government is bankrupt and can't meet its financial commitments ahead of the games.

...

[NPR correspondent Lulu Garcia-Navarro reports that] finances in Rio "have been so dire ... that civil servants haven't been paid and hospitals are operating on a shoe string." She adds that even amid a countrywide recession, "the state that is hosting the Olympics has been particularly hard hit."

...

In a decree, Dornelles said the state requires emergency measures to prevent "a total collapse in public security, health, education, transport and environmental management," Reuters reported.

CassandraW · Jun 23, 2016

It's hard for me to imagine how the games can go forward under these conditions. A "state of calamity"?

Diana Hignutt · Jun 23, 2016

At this point the Olympics is the mayor from Jaws.

Michael Wolfe · Jun 23, 2016

CassandraW said:
It's hard for me to imagine how the games can go forward under these conditions. A "state of calamity"?

To be fair, they only have two states: that one, and a state of emergency.

robeiae · Jun 23, 2016

Alessandra Kelley said:
Rio's Governor Declares 'State Of Calamity' Ahead Of Olympic Games

That's actually an old story. I linked to the same basic story on CNN, already: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/sho...l-what-to-do&p=9865098&viewfull=1#post9865098

Alessandra Kelley · Jun 23, 2016

robeiae said:
That's actually an old story. I linked to the same basic story on CNN, already: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/sho...l-what-to-do&p=9865098&viewfull=1#post9865098

Ah, sorry. I missed that.

Here's some more recent news. Rio de Janeiro's Acting Governor Francisco Dornelles says the state won't be able to pay for public services: health care, education, public transportation, or security.

But it will pay for the Olympics, no fear.

darkprincealain · Jun 24, 2016

I think I'm moving more now from the move camp to the Cass's Naked and Afraid suggestion sounds frighteningly realistic camp. This is getting out of hand.

robeiae · Jun 28, 2016

Jason Day out.

He's the best golfer on the planet -- but Jason Day won't be winning Olympic gold anytime soon.

The world. No. 1 withdrew from Rio 2016 Tuesday after citing fears over contracting the Zika virus.

Alessandra Kelley · Jun 28, 2016

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-36653007

There was a nasty surprise awaiting passengers in the arrivals hall at Rio De Janeiro's Galeao International Airport on Monday.

Along with the relatives carrying flowers and taxi drivers waiting with name boards there were lines of off-duty police with banners that had a far more ominous message: "Welcome to Hell".

"Police and firefighters don't get paid," the banners, in English and Portuguese, went on. "Whoever comes to Rio de Janeiro will not be safe".

Francisco Dornelles, the acting governor of Rio de Janeiro ... told the Brazilian newspaper O Globo that the state was still waiting on the promised $860 million payout from the federal government ahead of the start of the games. He added that without the cash injection, police patrols may be have to be halted due to the lack of funds for basics like car fuel.

MaeZe · Jun 28, 2016

That picture of the human arm floating in the polluted water was a bit of a turnoff.

http://www.livesaildie.com/human-arm-found-in-olympic-sailing-waters/

LittlePinto · Jun 28, 2016

MaeSw said:
That picture of the human arm floating in the polluted water was a bit of a turnoff.

http://www.livesaildie.com/human-arm-found-in-olympic-sailing-waters/

The sailors are having a rough time of it out of the water too.

robeiae · Jul 5, 2016

http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/05/americas/rio-de-janeiro-super-bacteria/index.html

A group of Brazilian scientists have detected a drug-resistant bacteria growing off of some of Rio de Janeiro's most stunning beaches, one month before the city is due to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

According to lead researcher Renata Picao, the "super bacteria" entered the city's waterways when sewage coming from local hospitals got channeled into the bay.

Zoombie · Jul 5, 2016

Olymxit?

No, that's a terrible term.

Diana Hignutt · Jul 5, 2016

robeiae said:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/05/americas/rio-de-janeiro-super-bacteria/index.html

Here's an idea: No city can have the Olympics unless they have a functioning sewerage treatment plant.

rugcat · Jul 5, 2016

I think the IOC and FIFA should merge into one agency. Then they could expand beyond the sports sphere and enter the political arena -- the Socolimpa party. With their long tradition of blatant corruption, arrogance, and incompetence, they should easily outdo both the Republican and Democratic parties.

Not to mention the parties in other countries. They clearly are the perfect group to rule the world.

MaeZe · Jul 5, 2016

Diana Hignutt said:
Here's an idea: No city can have the Olympics unless they have a functioning sewerage treatment plant.

You would think that plus potable water was a basic requirement the Olympic Committee had on their checklist. Maybe after this experience they will.

James D. Macdonald · Jul 5, 2016

'Super bacteria' discovered in Rio's waters as Olympics near

Summer Olympics in Brazil: what to do

The 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil should be...

Cancelled

Held as scheduled

Cut back in scope

Moved

Ignored

Very Tired

Represent.

Touch and go

Sophipygian

The Scavengers

Touch and go

Rewriting My Destiny

Sophipygian

Very Tired

Jambo Bwana

Touch and go

Sophipygian

Touch and go

Sophipygian

Perpetually confused

Touch and go

Dragon of the Multiverse

Very Tired

Lost in the Fog

Your Genial Uncle