Ever since its arrival in Brazil, the Olympic torch has been followed by protesters outraged about the $12 billion price tag for the Olympics as issues like education, healthcare, public transportation and even the government’s late payment of employees will plague the city long after the games are gone.
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From the centre of Rio, the symbol of the world’s largest sporting event will pass through surrounding towns and return to the city centre on Thursday ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony in the famed Maracanã stadium, site of the World Cup final in 2014. One of them was a pair of silver elephants and the other was gold-plated peacock.
The majority of the Indian contingent has already arrived and is residing at the Village.
More than 2,600 people have been killed in the city since it won the bid to host the Summer Olympic Games in 2009, Amnesty International said. Music by late Brazilian legends Raul Seixas and Tim Maia was also played alongside some latest hits. Some of those not present this afternoon were away at Training Venues. Those present included shooters Jitu Rai and Chain Singh, athletes Khushbir Kaur, Women’s hockey team and swimmers Sajan Prakash and Shivani Katariya.
The Olympic Village was officially opened on July 24. The Village has 31 buildings (India is housed in Building No. 31) and has 3,604 apartments.
Despite many promises by government officials to stem the waste that pollutes Rio’s expansive Guanabara Bay seven years ago, officials acknowledge that their efforts to treat raw sewage and scoop up household garbage out of their waters have fallen short.
Recent attacks claimed by extremist groups in Europe have added to security concerns over the Olympics in Rio, a sprawling city where drug traffickers and armed gangs often control slums and spark heavily armed police raids.
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Apparently, Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes tried via Facebook post, to bring some Pokémon to the area in time for the games. The guests will be offered a wide range of local Brazilian and global cuisine, including Indian and Asian food.
