Brazilian authorities also announced this weekend that they will take the unprecedented step of doubling the number of police and security officers around the Rio Olympics to 85,000 and work with experts and safety analysts from more than 100 countries. A dozen soldiers quickly arrived to begin containing the “attack”. The torch was passing through the southwestern Brazilian city of Maracaju when a 27-year-old man threw a bucket of water at the torch.
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This time, the attacker used a fire extinguisher in hopes of putting out the flame.
Brazil has said it will bolster security for next month’s Olympics in the aftermath of the attack on France’s Riviera city, which saw a man ram his truck into crowds gathered to watch the Bastille Day fireworks. Fortunately, the flame was not affected, and the runner passed the torch to the next person.
As we draw closer to the Olympics, it is very well possible that the flame could come under attack again. Deodoro is one of four main Olympic venues, along with Maracana, Copacabana and Barra da Tijuca, the headquarters of the Rio Games.
The Rio Games have already been beset by a series of difficulties, ranging from a collapsed cycle track to the Zika virus outbreak, prompting sports stars to pull out.
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Waddell says the Olympics will be highly competitive but has faith NZ will be more successful this games than in London. But until then, we will just have to wait and see what happens next.
