Community Chat

[Say Nay]

Greece? Greece is in the midst of a debt crisis. Then add the huge number of refugees and migrants (41,000+) who are stranded there on top of that and you have a disaster in the making. It would be a terrible venue for the Olympics.

As for Rio the Olympic Committee knew there would be massive obstacles yet they moved forward.

[Stray]

The IOC received $500,000 from the Brazilian contingency, I believe.  I visited Rio many years ago and security/safety was always an issue and still is.  At the time Rio applied, the President (theirs) was not under impeachment for money laundering and corruption; the economy was better but government corruption ended that.  They don't have adequate accommodations for the number of people that will be in attendance and there wasn't a global health crisis....that's a lot to overcome.  The runner up cities were good cities, Madrid was the first runner up and a fabulous City...so were all of the others and not in the state of chaos as Rio is now....the decision to select Rio was political/financially motivated IMHO.   With terrorism always a possibility, the poorest choice is Rio.  Add Zika concerns and large crowds, the perfect storm....I hope the Olympics and Paraolympics are conducted without incidents but I am very concerned.  

[Snoopp]

I think the security has experienced cuts due to the financial problems. There is plenty to worry about with these games. 

[itiswhatitis]

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@truffle wrote:

Maybe Shakira who is worth over $200 million will help them.  She is married to a pro soccer player from Spain.  Plenty of very wealthy individuals out there...we'll see. 

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Do you single out Shakira because you believe she is Brazilian?  She is Colombian....just in case you didn't know.

[itiswhatitis]

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@Noel7 wrote:

Antibiotic-resistant ‘super bacteria’ found in Rio Olympic venues, main beaches

Highly dangerous and drug-resistant super bacteria have been found in major beaches and venues that will host swimming, canoe and rowing events at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, studies seen by Reuters say.

The contamination of one of the most populous cities in Brazil is a result of improper sanitation, according to Renata Picao from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro who led the study.

The research identified the super bug as Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase, a highly drug-resistant bacilli that causes infections associated with significant mortality.

https://www.rt.com/news/346213-rio-olympic-venues-superbug/

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Klebsiella is also found in hospital settings.  This is typically where people become infected.  Yes, it is very hard to treat.  Yes, new strains of viruses that become resistant to treatment are troubling.  No, I would not be going to the Olympic games in Brazil because of this and other factors.

[itiswhatitis]

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@truffle wrote:

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@AKgirl2 wrote:

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@truffle wrote:

Maybe Shakira who is worth over $200 million will help them.  She is married to a pro soccer player from Spain.  Plenty of very wealthy individuals out there...we'll see. 

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Shakira is Colombian!!

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Yes, she is and this has already been mentioned.  I will repeat for you that she takes up many causes all throughout South America.  

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Yeah, I finally read all of that after my post.  This particular cause may beyond her reach as it is getting very close to the beginning of the games.

[RainCityWoman]

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@IamMrsG wrote:

If a site for the Olympics were to be stationary, I see no reason for it to be any other place than Olympia, Greece.   To share in the cost, any participating nation would contribute to its establishment, maintenance and security.

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I agree. After all, ancient Greece gave us the Olympics basically. That country is in dire straits. This would be a huge economic boost for them, and they could be proud of their tradition. Participating countries could contribute to keeping the  the site state of the art. Why should all these different countries every four years have to foot the bill for and build all new facilities? It's duplication of effort for some of the least able to afford that kind of commitment.

[willdob3]

This sounds like an epic disaster in the making...

And I guess the powers that be are just going to sit back and let it happen because they probably consider it too late to change things...

[AngusandBuddhasMom]

Well I know its popular to put the cart before the horse on here but we should remember that during the Olympics down there it will be Winter. While comparatively warm in Rio compared to our Winter months it is still winter.

My DD's  old friend from high school will be heading into her 3rd Olympics helping the US to a win in Womens Soccer. She was home over the weekend and she is stoked to say the least. She said the team is taking percautions and will be proactive. Her games are actually not played any where near Rio but they are still preparing. 

Go USA !