As the rest of the world watches on in anticipation of the 2016 Summer Olympics, the infrastructure of Rio de Janeiro is crumbling – literally and figuratively. In particular, it cannot possibly help when an estimated 500,000 foreign tourists flock into Rio for the Games, potentially becoming infected, and returning to their homes where both local Aedes mosquitoes and sexual transmission can establish new outbreaks.
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Rio too unsafe to visit, says former World Cup victor.
Brazil is getting “more ugly”, said Rivaldo, who was on the country’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad, forming part of a lethal attacking trio with Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
Ace shooter Abhinav Bindra has said that he felt honoured to be named one of the goodwill ambassadors for the Indian contingent at this year’s Summer Olympics, adding he is looking forward to support and motivate all sportspersons representing the country in Rio de Janeiro. “You’ll be putting your life at risk”, he offered via Instagram, as violence continues to be an issue in Brazil. This is without even speaking about the state of public hospitals and all the Brazilian political mess.
“Only God can change the situation in our Brazil”, he wrote.
At least 11 people have been killed while working on the Olympic projects in Brazil. Instead, we’re seeing a growing flurry of tragedy, set in motion by natural, biological, structural and human forces.
With less than 100-days to go it appears the International Olympic Committee won’t be following Dr Attaran’s advice.
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According to Canadian health expert Dr Amir Attaran, staging the Olympics in Rio would lead to a “full-blown global health disaster”.
