Rio 2016 Summer Olympics

[Anubis]

Fun, fun, fun in the sun, sun, sun.

 

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_57649c0ce4b015db1bc98594

 

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Rio de Janeiro’s governor declared a state of financial emergency Friday and requested federal funds to help fulfill obligations for public services during the Olympics that start Aug. 5.

 

Emergency measures are needed to avoid “a total collapse in public security, health, education, transport and environmental management,” a decree in the state’s Official Gazette said.

 

The state’s revenue, largely tied to the petroleum industry, slumped in the last two years as global oil prices collapsed.

 

The announcement followed this week’s visit to Rio by Brazil’s Interim President Michel Temer, who said the federal government would ensure all obligations are met for a successful Games.

 

Rio is expecting about 500,000 foreign visitors during the Olympics, which has coincided with Brazil’s worst recession since the 1930s and a political crisis that last month led to the suspension of President Dilma Rousseff.

 

“The state’s financial emergency in no way delays the delivery of Olympic projects and the promises assumed by the city of Rio,” Mayor Eduardo Paes said on Twitter.

 

He also underscored that legacy construction projects, with the exception of an 8.79 billion-real expansion of Rio’s metro that is expected to be finished just days before the Games open, are the responsibility of the city and that most have been completed.

 

The local organizing committee for the Games said the state’s fiscal situation did not impact its actual running of the Olympics, which relies entirely on private funds.

 

While the majority of Olympic infrastructure costs have been spread across city, state and federal budgets, with some financing from private companies, the state is responsible for most day-to-day security and health services in Rio.

 

The financial pinch resulted in a 30-percent cut in the state’s security budget - just as Rio has seen a jump in homicides and assaults in recent months, raising concerns about safety ahead of the Olympics.

 

The state of Rio expects a budget deficit of over 19 billion reais ($5.56 billion) this year as spending planned before oil prices fell outstrips revenue that is tumbling during Brazil’s recession.

 

Rio state’s debt has been downgraded several times.

 

On Wednesday, Fitch Ratings downgraded Rio’s debt rating to ‘B-‘ from ‘B+’, saying the state was suffering “a fast-deteriorating liquidity position.”

 

Since late last year, the state has been forced to delay pension and salary payments and shutter some schools and hospitals, where crucial supplies, including medicines and syringes, are lacking.

 

Brazil is also facing an outbreak of the Zika virus, which has been linked to the birth defect microcephaly in which babies are born with abnormally small heads frequently associated with developmental issues.

 

(Reporting by Paulo Prada, Stephen Eisenhammer and Brad Brooks; editing by Richard Chang and Andrew Hay)

[moof]

Christ, this is going to be a disaster isn't it

[Captain Turdseye]

The 2012 thread was ace. That was way back before Pistonbroke turned angry.

[moof]

Russia are banned from competing apparently.

 

Makes the rhythmic gymnastics competition far less appealing

[SammyAftershave]

There's always the weightlifting.

[Spy Bee]

"Just slightly ahead"

 

Potential commentary on the Zika virus.

[Elite]

Should just do the track and field events in the Favellas.

[Dougie Do'ins]

The 2012 thread was ace. That was way back before Pistonbroke turned angry.

And Pistorious turned all shooty the girlfriendy

[Champ]

The 2012 thread was ace. That was way back before Pistonbroke turned angry.

I will never forget the opening night as long as I live...or the senile dementia gets me

[Nightcat]

“a total collapse in public security, health, education, transport and environmental management”

 

no biggie.

[Dr Nowt]

Or the Ennis/Farah Saturday night.

 

Great those Olympics were. Feels like much longer ago than 4 years.

[Champ]

Or the Ennis/Farah Saturday night.

 

Great those Olympics were. Feels like much longer ago than 4 years.

Were you around for the Opening Ceremony...how we were drawn in from the general cynicism and scorn to amazement and enjoyment was a thing of beauty

[Dr Nowt]

Were you around for the Opening Ceremony...how we were drawn in from the general cynicism and scorn to amazement and enjoyment was a thing of beauty

Didn't see it live, but watched it the next day and it was definitely the perfect opening ceremony for that Olympics, and summer of sport generally.

[Champ]

Didn't see it live, but watched it the next day and it was definitely the perfect opening ceremony for that Olympics, and summer of sport generally.

It would be worth digging out the London 2012 thread just for that

[Rico1304]

I remember being cynical at first but then deciding it was going to be ace. The opening ceremony was fucking amazing - I'm the least artsy person in the world so things like that fascinate me. Even the bit witht the queen was ace.

 

About 3 weeks before there was a programme on R4 and it had a panel of people saying we'd fuck it up. Then an Aussie came on, he said we had no idea what was about to happen and that the country would experience something unimaginable. He then said that it'd be that great we'd be gutted when it finished but we'd then get crazy about the para olympics and that's exactly what happened.

[Champ]

Christ, this is going to be a disaster isn't it

Which is exactly what was said about London, and how I was feeling too. How wrong we were but it doesn't feel good for Rio, does it?

[G Richards]

It doesn't feel good for Rio. I spoke to a doctor the other day and he is pretty concerned about the Zika virus. Besides that it doesn't seem as though Brazil is on top of it, with political and financial problems. I hope it all comes together in time, but I suspect there will be gaps - the tv coverage will seem fine, but those on the ground will have stories to tell about incomplete facilities, etc.

[Lee909]

Still never watched the oprninh ceremony for London. Holds no interest for me. Get rid of them smd make the tickets cheaper

[moof]

Still never watched the oprninh ceremony for London. Holds no interest for me. Get rid of them smd make the tickets cheaper

I say the same thing myself, usually. The London one was absolutely fucking brilliant though and well worth a watch. Think it's on YouTube

[General Dryness]

One of our friends is going to this. To be a judge. At the synchronised swimming.

 

Which was nice.

[Champ]

So, what is the risk to golfers that makes them think they're so much at risk from Zika?

[Guest LFD]

Jason Day, Adm Scott.

 

Someone told me the other day that the Australian Golfers had been juicing (like the swimming team) and given they'll be tested at the Olympics, that is why they are all pulling out.

 

Don't know if it is true or not.

[VladimirIlyich]

Jason Day, Adm Scott.

 

Someone told me the other day that the Australian Golfers had been juicing (like the swimming team) and given they'll be tested at the Olympics, that is why they are all pulling out.

 

Don't know if it is true or not.

Are Sanatogen now on the banned list?

[Lee909]

No but veggiemite is hence the Aussie pullouts.

 

Veggiemite is fucking disgusting

[TheHowieLama]

I would imagine having to hit a shot from next to the stagnant pond just off the fairway on 13 may be an issue