Blame It On Rio...

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

The US didn't in Atlanta.

You're fighting a losing battle...


+1 to the point that there should just be a few fixed sites. Rio seems like a cool place to visit, just not for the Olympics.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Syed117

You're fighting a losing battle...


+1 to the point that there should just be a few fixed sites. Rio seems like a cool place to visit, just not for the Olympics.

You're right, of course.

But, when I look at all the challenges for Rio (hospital staff not paid, police not paid, high crime rate, Zika virus, city on verge of bankruptcy, body parts washing up on volley ball venue, etc.). It's not an inviting atmosphere in its own right, and I don't see terrorism as the foremost risk to the average Olympics tourist wandering the streets of Rio.

Terrorism would be anticlimactic since you'll probably have already been infected, robbed, or murdered before the terrorists show up.

[Dr. Prunesquallor]

Originally Posted by ref1655

this is perhaps the saddest & most tragic example...the remnants of the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics.

http://www.vice.com/read/the-crumbli...inter-olympics

Several friends and I went skiing the Olympic runs in '85. We stayed in the very hotel in that link. Very sad.


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[Gaijin]

I think it's going to be fine. Brazil will pull it off and show the world.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

I think it's going to be fine. Brazil will pull it off and show the world.

Happy thoughts, we need more of that

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Happy thoughts, we need more of that

Thank you sir. Positive thinking is powerful .

[Etschell]

Looks like bolt is "hurt" so he doesn't have to go down there

[sco]

Chicago was mentioned as a host, I was not looking forward to the extra traffic, people, etc.

I do enjoy watching the games. Hopefully these summer games will overcome the issues and be great.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

I think it's going to be fine. Brazil will pull it off and show the world.

I trust you are right.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

I think it's going to be fine. Brazil will pull it off and show the world.

Pretty sure of that but show what . . .

[Hpozzuoli]

I still love to see the competition. I wish it was only amateur athletes and no pros. The U.S. Basketball team beating up on a small country doesn't do much for me or for goodwill.

[ref1655]

in regards to the Zika virus...medical experts have advised men to abstain from having sex for 6 months upon return (if planning a family or additional children) & pregnant women should not travel to Brazil at this time. about 2,500 Zika cases have already been reported in the U.S. due to international travel & immigration from the southern hemisphere.

common sense would dictate that Zika-related birth defects aren't worth the risk of traveling to Rio de Janiero or anywhere the virus-borne mosquito is buzzing around.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Hpozzuoli

I still love to see the competition. I wish it was only amateur athletes and no pros. The U.S. Basketball team beating up on a small country doesn't do much for me or for goodwill.

In the past it was state-sponsored sports teams that ruled some sports. Now commercial and pro teams.

When the Olympics began in Ancient Greece there was no distinction - quite often men who were paid warriors won.

So I'd say the IOC should drop the pretense and a national team can have any mix. I recall when I was told to hire this guy or that gal because we supported them as part of our Olympic sponsorship. I would have rather given the athlete $100K/yr. and hired a better candidate.


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[dba]

Originally Posted by Relyt

I agree with the idea of 2 host cities for winter/ summer and leave it at that.

Good idea but I think perhaps 4 host cities; 2 each for winter / summer; in 4 very disparate places. Alternate between them so the host city only hosts games every 8 years. There is also the issue sometimes of a lack of snow at the winter venue. In that case, although logistically problematic, the winter games could be moved to the other venue.

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by Relyt

I agree with the idea of 2 host cities for winter/ summer and leave it at that.

that's the common sense approach...but some countries might decry 'favoritism' based on who knows what.

tourist/health safety & economic stability of the host nation should be the primary criteria, which pretty much eliminates many host nations of the past.

everybody wants the prestige of hosting an Olympics but few are able and/or willing to effectively deal with the repercussions.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by ref1655

in regards to the Zika virus...medical experts have advised men to abstain from having sex for 6 months upon return

Sorry but than I really have to skip !

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[masyv6]

Originally Posted by TickTopia

It's a disaster waiting to happen....

Sad state of affairs regarding Rio and the IOC. Hopefully you're wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if you're absolutely right.

[yukosaturno]

Originally Posted by Etschell

im not going to get into the politics other than to say this:

the olympics is going to bankrupt Rio.

isn't rio bankrupt already?

we don't need no olympics to do that to us,we're that damn stupid already....

[AzPaul]

This year, the summer games will have 306 medal events staged over 19 days. Not to mention all the preliminary heats and qualifying rounds. Me thinks this is too much. Way too much.

Seems to me, a healthy scaling back would make the games much easier to put on without really losing any prestige. Sure, a lot of athletes would be missing out if this happened, but the world survived before beach volleyball, BMX cycling, golf and trampolining became medal events, my guess is it'll survive after.

[Big Jay]

I can speak a little about this. My ex of a year and a half was Brazilian and I actually visited Rio in October. What has happened to that country is extremely sad. Without traveling down the political yellow brick road...the current regime there has robbed the people blind. Leading up to the World Cup, they built stadiums and spent money on infrastructure surrounding the Cup vs hospitals, roads, public access, etc. When I was down there, they were already talking about the Olympics being a disaster. That has pretty much come to fruition. Now, just today, they're fielding threats from ISIS which I knew was only a matter of time. It's sad because the Brazilian people are generally a very happy, carefree, love life type bunch. Not to say we are not here in the USA, but they are an exceptionally loving people.

I also happened to return back from there 2 weeks before they put a mass press release out to the world about Zika. I came back, mentioned it to my doctor, and he had no clue. Now it's on everyone's radar. It came in with the World Cup, btw. I'm not too concerned as I don't plan on having children for quite some time.

Crime...well...I don't think I need to explain this. I didn't have any issues but you definitely need your wits about you down there.

Now with the bad out of the way, let's talk about the good. The people there are amazing. Just beautiful, friendly, and loving people. The women, with all due respect, are just out of this world. Everyone there at least tries to speak English. They want to help you, be friends with you, take you out, take care of you, etc. It truly is a loving culture. Food is amazing and cheap.

My only suggestion is if you go, visit Rio. However, next time consider other places like Maceio or Vitoria.

[Big Jay]

There really are not topless beaches there, btw. That's more of a US and Europe thing. The swimsuits are small but topless is illegal down there. Fun fact haha.