On Oct. 2 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) narrowed their decision down to two final host cities, with Rio de Janeiro ultimately taking the cake, 66 to 32 over Madrid.
Chicagoans felt a wave of disappointment as their city was the first of the final four candidates to receive the boot. The U.S. has hosted the Olympics many a time (8 times to be exact), but South America has never held a single Olympic Game, despite its intense beauty and sportsmanship.
Rio de Janeiro has been reputed as the most violent city in the world, but some believe that hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics will help aid the struggle. Rio’s violence problem is one birthed not by cultural or racial issues, but instead socioeconomic issues
A raging drug war fuels the violence between the police and gang members. Innocent people are also taking the fall for drug and gang related corruption, many are targeted and punished for crimes they did not commit or take any part in.
So with the city set, many are fearful of how the games in Rio will turn out.
The violence in Rio is a result of the interactions between gangs and police that take place in and around the many favelas, the name given to the slums in Brazil. Many inhabitants of the favelas claim police brutality occurs often and far more than necessary.
Either way, publicity for the city should benefit negative situations by creating awareness around the world.
Visitors shouldn’t be too concerned for their safety because of the localized areas of violence in the favelas, but should be aware that favelas are sometimes bordering other upper and middle-class parts of the city, and on occasion violence does spill beyond the favelas.
Anyone that argues the violence could be damaging to the games, its athletes, and its spectators are clearly unaware of the security detail the Olympics demand. It is hoped that extra security for the Olympics comes from outside of the city so that no place is left un-policed.
Along with being the host city for the Olympics, Rio de Janeiro will be one of the 12 cities to host the 2014 World Cup of Soccer (FIFA). This major sporting event has a large fan base across the globe and in preparation for the football madness the country will construct and repair stadiums, providing jobs for many Brazilians. A minimum of $1.1 billion will be spent alone preparing the stadiums. Another result for playing host, mainly out of necessity, is the upgrade of many Brazilian airports.
A large amount of construction is needed for the Olympic Games and must be started ahead of schedule to insure the completion of all structures, parking lots and the Olympic Village. The construction overlap between the World Cup and the Olympics should provide solid construction jobs for at least five years.
The Olympic Games can be a gift, and a burden, to the host city due to the incredible amount of public attention. Hopefully, this will be a great opportunity to boost Rio’s economy and help Brazil establish a healthy reputation in the new World Community.