Chicago had the Obamas and Oprah. Tokyo had $4 billion. Madrid made it to the final run-off vote. But all three cities lost the bid to host the 2016 Olympic games to Rio de Janeiro. While all cities boasted hopeful citizens cheering, no city offered the passion and story of Rio. The exciting, fun-loving city erupted when the president of the International Olympic Committee announced the final verdict.
The 2016 games will mark the first Olympics ever held in South America. While the Olympics pit countries against each other and focus on sports at an international level, since the Olympic revival in 1896, only four continents (North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia) have hosted the games. Rio de Janeiro bid—unsuccessfully—for the Olympics in 1936, 1940, 2004, and 2012. Finally, they will have there chance, but it won’t be easy. Brazil currently has the tenth largest economy in the world—and is projected to grow by 2016—but the country is plagued by unemployment and poverty.
Despite the plan that Rio proposed to the IOC, some doubt the facilities and the city can manage the volume of people. Rio plans to use the stadium built for the 2007 Pan Am Games, but this facility has only staged a few athletic events. Brazil claimed athletes and spectators would be very close to the stadium, but given traffic and the isolated facilities, the actual commute could be hours. Brazil has been struggling for years with public transportation, with a metro service still failing to reach suburbs. The main airport is also in dire need of repair, especially considering the throngs of people expected.
However, Brazil claims through their growing economy they have direct funding and investments in the facilities that still need to be built. While opponents argue against the games in Rio, the games will actually increase Brazil’s presence in the world.
Another problem Brazil will have to tackle is Rio's gangs. Rio has one of the highest murder rates in the world. You might fight this article interesting: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aw5.4nzd_66s
ReplyDeleteThanks for the article! I know the crime rates in Rio are astounding.
ReplyDeleteThis is an important point and I can see similar concerns floated when Beijing was selected for the olympics. Another interesting question (to me at least): to what extent do olympic games actually spur equitable and sustainable urban development in an area? If cities are incentivized to build better infrastructure systems that benefit all citizens, great. If cities are incentivized to build large sports stadiums that drain money from public coffers that could have gone to education, jobs, and housing, for example, the positive impact of the Olympics is questionable.
ReplyDeleteDan (theurbanbriefcase.wordpress.com)
This is a symbolic occasion that marks further integration of South America into the world community. It is interesting to me that this is only the first Olympics ever held in South America. I think that this demonstrates that South America is a fast growing emerging market. I am happy to see that the Olympic committee chose to diversify itself by including a new geographical region.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless it is a great feat for Brazil and Rio De Janeiro. I think the area will benefit form great economic growth due to the influx of investment and infrastructure put in to place before the Olympics. Similar to what went ton in Beijing, I think Rio de Janeiro will to benefit form great economic growth prosperity do the Olympic games.
I completely agree. Chicago would have been a great city to host the games (and the USA should definitely fight to host the games), but this doesn't mean that Americans should be disappointed... the revenue brought in to the city in which the Olympics is hosted could be put to a much better global development (where it really is needed) in another city. Or at least if nothing else, Rio is amazing city-- what a place to draw visitors and attention to the games.
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