hockeyfan1
New member
The Brazilian government yearned to host an Olympic Summer Games, and got it's wish when the Olympics Games were awarded to Brazil's second most populous municipality, Rio de Janeiro. Many Brazilians rejoiced when the winning city was announced and could hardly wait to show the world how to party -- something Brazilians are keenly good at. Afterall, where else will one find the world's largest Carnival, a festival of pomp and pageantry, of wild partying & dancing, of larger-than-life celebrations and costumes (even some without), making it a near hedonistic experience.
Circa present day. While Olympic venues were being completed at a frantic pace, many still have doubts about Rio's readiness for the Games. What with the discovery of polluted waters (where even human body parts have been found), it's enough to make any participatory Olympic swimmer grimace at the mere thought of delving in those waters. It doesn't stop there. The threat of the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne virus, hit Rio and the country of Brazil particularly hard with some devastating effects.
And what of the favelas -- the slums in the poor areas and neighborhoods in and around Rio? Hidden against the backdrop of the Olympics venues, people here remain skeptical that these Games will generate any real change in Brazil's financial and economic landscape. In fact, a government that has claimed time and again of not being able to provide economic aid to it's poor, yet, has somehow come up with the financing and funding to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars to construct and stage a world event.
Brazil is in the midst of it's worst economic recession in years. The awarding and partial building of the Games and venues occurred when Brazil was in the midst of an economic upturn.
All this negative news. How about some positives. Heck, even the residents of the favelas enjoy and occupy themselves with nightly street dancing and music. The sounds of Samba reverberate through the neighbourhood, as young teens twist and turn and breakdance with precision to the sounds of the music. Just like Brazilians to know how to entertain and be entertained.
Hope all holds well for these Rio Games. A little blessing from Christ the Redeemer statue that overlooks the city of Rio atop the high mountain will no doubt be welcome. The statue sill be lit up throughout the duration of the Games.
The opening ceremonies will commence tonight. The world will be watching. Sure to be colourful. Ole Brazil! Ole, Ola!
Circa present day. While Olympic venues were being completed at a frantic pace, many still have doubts about Rio's readiness for the Games. What with the discovery of polluted waters (where even human body parts have been found), it's enough to make any participatory Olympic swimmer grimace at the mere thought of delving in those waters. It doesn't stop there. The threat of the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne virus, hit Rio and the country of Brazil particularly hard with some devastating effects.
And what of the favelas -- the slums in the poor areas and neighborhoods in and around Rio? Hidden against the backdrop of the Olympics venues, people here remain skeptical that these Games will generate any real change in Brazil's financial and economic landscape. In fact, a government that has claimed time and again of not being able to provide economic aid to it's poor, yet, has somehow come up with the financing and funding to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars to construct and stage a world event.
Brazil is in the midst of it's worst economic recession in years. The awarding and partial building of the Games and venues occurred when Brazil was in the midst of an economic upturn.
All this negative news. How about some positives. Heck, even the residents of the favelas enjoy and occupy themselves with nightly street dancing and music. The sounds of Samba reverberate through the neighbourhood, as young teens twist and turn and breakdance with precision to the sounds of the music. Just like Brazilians to know how to entertain and be entertained.
Hope all holds well for these Rio Games. A little blessing from Christ the Redeemer statue that overlooks the city of Rio atop the high mountain will no doubt be welcome. The statue sill be lit up throughout the duration of the Games.
The opening ceremonies will commence tonight. The world will be watching. Sure to be colourful. Ole Brazil! Ole, Ola!