Aug. 25, 2016 Vol. 232 by Jason Grenier, special correspondent
Problems in the Run-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics The 2016 Summer Olympics are set to commence in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a city renowned for fun and sun. Yet even as global excitement reaches a peak, the 2016 festivities have been overshadowed by a multitude of problems in the run-up to competition. One major concern is pollution. Rio’s water is notoriously dirty and contaminated with human waste, industrial runoff, and floating garbage. Not only does the water have a foul odor; but it’s also full of micro-bacteria harmful to human health. Whenever athletes in water sports like sailing, rowing, and swimming come in contact with the water, they run the risk of getting sick. Getting water splashed on one’s skin can lead to rashes, itching, and infections. Ingesting water by swallowing it would be even worse, as the toxic microorganisms it contains could enter the body, causing stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and other diseases. Athletes have been advised to keep their mouths shut to avoid contracting water-borne diseases. Security is another worry. A large percentage of Brazil’s population lives in poverty and there is a serious crime problem. Having grown desperate, some of the urban poor use illegal drugs and turn to crime to survive. Property crime, like break-and-enter and theft, remains a fact of life for Brazilians. Residents, Olympic athletes, and international tourists face a risk of becoming victims of violence. Making matters worse, local police claim they haven’t been paid their salaries for months and lack the manpower and firepower to guarantee safety during the games. Indeed, reports of armed robberies, assaults, and kidnappings have already emerged. The third hiccup involves the facilities themselves. Conditions in the athletes’ village, the accommodations built to house the participants, have been described by some international teams as sub-standard. In fact, the Australian team flatly refused to move into their assigned quarters until their concerns about health and safety were addressed. Australian athletes and coaches pointed to shortcomings like exposed 1