Rockin' in Rio in 2016

[smitty]

Just feel glad it is not in Canada or the USA. True both have wasted money on the bids, but after the screw-up in the Summer games in Canada to the two winter games in Canada ONE must remember we will be paying for the Winter Games in taxes as B.C., citizens, but most of us had NO intentions to going to the games as even one would be to costly to us.

Then Vancouver had to have another booze party this summer, again more on taxes, so the party people could still have a ball. No those outside of Vancouver & more to the more central part of B.C., province DID NOT WASTE MONEY TO BE AT SAID PARTY.

[no1home]

Rio de Janeiro's endless beaches and lush tropical forest will be a photographer's dream during the 2016 Olympics. But zoom in on the likes of once-pristine Guanabara Bay, and the picture is of household trash and raw sewage.

In the neon green waters around the site of the future Olympic Park, the average fecal pollution rate is 78 times that of the Brazilian government's "satisfactory" limit -- and 195 times the level considered safe in the U.S. Nearly 70 per cent of Rio's sewage goes untreated, meaning runoff from its many slums and poor neighbourhoods drain into waters soon to host some of the world's best athletes. Unless Brazil makes headway in cleaning up its waters, experts warn the Summer Games could pose health risks to athletes and mar what officials hope will be a global showcase event. Instead of the soaring vistas of Sugarloaf Mountain, the world could instead see old couches in the bay and tons of dead fish floating atop a city lake.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/polluted-ne ... -1.1551849

And the Olympic Committee thought this was okay? People could get sick or die being on that site or going in the water. What will it take to cancel or move the games to a new country. You can not okay athletes going in water that is not 100% clean. Even 80% is not good enough when you consider what is in there floating around or lying in the bottom.

This is dangerous to everyone and the fact that the clean up is almost non existant should tell them they made a huge mistake with this one. This is worse than Beijing, China's pollution. The IOC needs it's collective head read for their decisions that are putting people in extreme danger. They want Rio so bad, why don't they go jump in the lake, put themselves in the Athletes place. I don't think there are enough shots to protect the athletes, if one person is sick or dies from the Olympic conditions the IOC will have no where to hide and should be charged.

[fishandchips]

Something was pointed out in the Toronto Star's article on the very same water body that the Games decision was political.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/2013/12/07/2016_olympics_sailors_say_guanabara_bay_rife_with_pollution.html


Yet, Brazil has environmental issues of its own. Not sure how key keeping the beaches (a major tourist attraction) clean is on the list while Amazon forests are logged/farmed and affecting native groups who live in the forests. Then there is the urban issue of gentrification or expropriating urban areas for transit and other infrastructure needs for the World Cup and the Games-the population affected by the loss of their residences will lose more than just shelter: community, health, supports will all be affected.

Er, everyone at the Games can expect sustainably raised fish on their plates from Brazil:
http://www.rio2016.com/en/news/news/rio-2016-signs-agreement-to-serve-only-sustainably-produced-fish-at-the-games

This landmark announcement means that all of the seafood served to the athletes, officials, media and at the on-site restaurants will be certified as sustainably wild caught (MSC) and responsibly farmed (ASC). With more than 14 million meals served during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the catering service represents a huge challenge for every host city and is described as the largest peacetime catering operation in the world.

The Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) reflect the Rio 2016 Organising Committee’s commitment to plan and stage the Games in such a way as to minimise adverse effects and maximise benefits to the environment, promote sustainable development and raise public awareness and action regarding environmental protection.

[deja vu]

The environment is not the only issue they have. Muggings are a daily occurrence and the theives don't care if they are filmed. Crime is rampant, the world cameras will invade the area and no doubt the crime numbers will go way up.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/ar ... d=11236221

New Zealand Herald -

Brazilian TV is showing footage of a woman being robbed while being interviewed on television about crime near Rio de Janeiro's main train station.

The images of the interview conducted Wednesday by TV Globo were posted on its G1 internet news portal.The woman is complaining in the clip about the lack of police presence near the station when the would-be mugger approaches her from behind and rips off what appears to be a gold necklace.

[CielOnTap]

The IOC has put some of its members in Rio to help the city get back on track as it is very behind on its Olympic preparation. This is the same capital city that has the most focus on it for World Cup in June 2014-not all of the stadiums are ready for the soccer matches or practices.

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/4489955-rio-olympic-plans-are-worst-i-have-experienced-ioc-vice-president/

Mr. Coates referenced the Rio efforts as being more behind than those of Athens, Greece. The Internet age has revealed what became of the Athens legacy-overgrowth and neglect. The circumstances tend to follow Olympic sites after their time on television is over.

[CielOnTap]

The golf course for next year's competition was handed over to the 2016 committee this week.
http://www.olympic.org/news/rio-2016-golf-course-unveiled/247508

There is some concern over the course's location in an environmental reserve, so plans attached to the course for its development and maintenance remain a priority for those following the matter.

The Reserva de Marapendi layout, controversially built in an environmental reserve, was taken over at the weekend by the Brazilian Golf Confederation which will oversee ongoing maintenance before the Summer Games get underway in August.

"The biggest issue we have right now is making sure that there is a disciplined approach in executing the agronomy plan," Votaw told Reuters by telephone.

"We want the golf course to be brought into a condition that is at a level where golfers of this skill set can be satisfied in playing the golf course.

"We're gratified that construction is complete, we're gratified the golf course is completely grassed ... but this is a living, breathing venue that continues to need tender loving care and attention beyond just having grass that is green."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/26/us-golf-olympics-course-idUSKBN0TF25K20151126#m47jAfJBU64exri0.97

[CielOnTap]

Since the Games will be held during Brazil's winter season (remember, the country is south of the Equator), there was an initial decision not to provide the athletes with air conditioning. That decision has been reversed as the Games committee works on finding savings elsewhere to bring the Games within budget.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/rio-organizers-change-minds-will-provide-free-a-c-in-olympic-village-1.2686979

[CielOnTap]

Spotted one recent item about how the Brazilian Olympic committee is finding ways to save money-there won't be temporary seating at some venues.

Brazil was booming when it was awarded the games in 2009. Now it's buffeted by the worst recession since the 1930s. The currency has plunged almost 50 per cent against the dollar, and inflation is over 10 per cent and rising. In addition, President Dilma Rousseff is facing impeachment, partly driven by a billion-dollar bribery scandal at state-run oil company Petrobras.

"We haven't had to face anything like this," Smith said. "It was a bold move to go to an emerging country. The IOC deciding to go to South America was a really important, strategic issue — but with all the associated risks."

Hit by cash-flow problems, Rio is reducing the use of unpaid volunteers. Transportation is being rejigged. Few competition results will be available on paper, and Olympic sponsor Panasonic has stepped in to give unprecedented financial help to run the opening and closing ceremonies.

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/6234920-rio-de-janeiro-olympics-facing-deep-cuts-unseen-in-decades/
Plan on helping out the local economies in the communities hosting various sporting events and festivities. And for the public transit:

A 16-kilometre (10-mile) subway extension to take riders from central Rio to the Olympic Park in the western suburb of Barra da Tijuca is likely to be finished just a few weeks before the games open. The untested line is a risk.

You might like to plan alternate transportation options in case the new line has any shutdowns or issues.

Found this sad bit of news-many stadium workers no longer have jobs:
http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/6219234-rio-stadium-fires-75-per-cent-of-workers-ahead-of-olympics/

[CielOnTap]

Archaelogical finds at a Rio port during the Olympic Games' infrastructure building are adding to time constraints.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/brazil-valongo-wharf-slave-history-1.3500333

In an abandoned train depot near Rio de Janeiro's derelict port area are stacked dozens of black plastic boxes. Two young researchers are sorting through their contents. Inside one box: a ceramic pipe. Inside another: a plate used in a traditional religious ceremony.

All of the objects belonged to former slaves and most of these finds wouldn't have been discovered if it hadn't been for work related to the Olympics.

In 2011, the city of Rio embarked on an extensive project to rejuvenate the long-neglected port area. Among the planned projects: the Museum of Tomorrow, an Olympic village for judges, light rail to carry the tourists expected during the Games, as well as better housing for the area's residents.

To their surprise, they began unearthing hundreds of artifacts dating from the early 1800s.

[pretzels]

Less than four months to go until the sporting spectacle is on TV. Really want to believe that construction workers are safe on the job sites and that Brazilians will have some programs and festivities that help them welcome the world.