Less than 50 days out from the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games, the state of Rio de Janeiro has declared a financial state of calamity.
Francisco Dornelles, acting governor of the state, made the announcement yesterday, June 17th, enabling the state government to change its budgetary priorities without disrespecting Brazil’s fiscal laws. Brazilian media reported Friday that Dornelles had asked the acting president, Michel Temer, for nearly $900 million in emergency funds for the state government. A decision on the payment has not yet been announced.
Dornelles’ office said in a statement that the decision was made because revenue decreases were threatening to “stop the state of Rio de Janeiro from honoring its commitment to the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
“The financial crisis has brought several difficulties in essential public services and it could cause the total collapse of public security, health care, education, urban mobility and environmental management,” the statement said.
The financial calamity news adds to the heavy list of concerns surrounding the host’s overall stability headed into the Games. In addition to pollution and Zika virus concerns, Brazil’s President, Dilma Rousseff, was voted to be impeached earlier this year and will not be attending the opening ceremony in an official capacity.
Last year in December, Rio’s Secretary of Health Care declared a health sector state of emergency, as hospitals, emergency rooms and health clinics were forced to cut services or close units throughout the state as money ran out for equipment, supplies and salaries.
….And Mr. Dornelles himself has just been accused of taking bribes in a plea bargain aiming at uncovering politicians mixed up in the Petrobras scandal.
Yes, the pool is in good shape. I was there coaching at the Brazilian Olympic Trials in April. Seating feels a bit small (compared to London) and there are issues with 4 large beams in 4 corners that will block viewing for spectators, but overall it is a nice facility and an equally nice warm down pool adjacent to the arena.
Pool has been completed and has already hosted an event:
https://staging.swimswam.com/rio-olympic-pool-passes-maria-lenk-test-event-complaints/
Sydney is still paying for infrastructure decisions e.g. trains that go nowhere anyone wants to go& the world’s worst airport link that was really just a normal train doing an 8k extra loop. Somehow it costs billions.
What really happened after was the same politicians/contractors/buddies embezzled the state of billions in mining rights. The Olympics euphoria was a mask to rob the people of NSW & gouge Federal taxpayer funds.
Her name is Rio and she dances in red ink…
Hosting the summer games is often a losing proposition for most countries. Athens took it on the chin with an estimated 14 billion dollar loss while the US and China are examples of some who have turned a profit.
I have a feeling Rio is going to be deep in debt on this one.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cost_of_the_Olympic_Games