Olympics In Rio

As the Rio de Janeiro Olympics are underway, organizers have faced criticism that they have failed to honor commitments made in the original bid. The city of Rio de Janeiro has spent millions in preparation for the Olympics on various new sports venues, museums, and public transportation. However, critics are concerned that the money could have been better spent on other more important ways.

They feel that things that make the local people’s lives better- issues such as access to clean water, food, safety, parking, and transportation should take precedence. Entire neighborhoods have been uprooted in order to provide space and a more appealing venue for things, such as parking lots.

There were areas that were deemed to be an “intolerable eyesore”, but were home to more than 600 families. The people living there were forcibly removed and the homes were bulldozed to the ground. The local government has almost been bankrupted in the process of putting on the Olympics. The promise the officials in Rio made to clean up the badly polluted surrounding waters has not been kept.

The Guanabara Bay still contains both chemical pollution and sewage, even though there had been a promise to clean up 80% of the pollution entering the Bay, which is where the Olympic sailing events take place. There are hopes that the spending of tourists will help alleviate some of these financial issues.