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Congrats, Rio; Now Get to Work

Brazil has some serious cleaning to get ready for 2016 Olympics

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 4, 2009 12:53 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Rio de Janeiro waltzed into Copenhagen on Friday, elbowed a couple of superpowers aside, whispered in the IOC's ear, and made off with the 2016 Olympics. But now in the cold light of day, Brazil has some serious roll-up-the-sleeves work to do. Its onetime oceanside gem now hangs on a dilapidated infrastructure and is riddled with crime.

Carnival aside, Rio is rated one of the most violent cities in the world, reports Bloomberg—the UN estimates that 20% of murders are committed by cops, and gangs routinely stop traffic to steal from drivers. Although many fear widespread corruption will derail Rio's Games, Reuters reports, others look to the example of Barcelona and the renaissance its 1992 Olympiad brought it.

In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic Beach is shown.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic Beach is shown.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Marina da Gloria is shown. The 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro, putting the games in South America for the first time.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Marina da Gloria is shown. The 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro, putting the games in South America for the first time.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic Training Center Hall is shown.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic Training Center Hall is shown.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Copacabana Stadium is shown. The 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro, putting the games in South America for the first time.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Copacabana Stadium is shown. The 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro, putting the games in South America for the first time.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Samb?dromo (Marathon) is shown. The 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro, putting the games in South America for the first time.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Samb?dromo (Marathon) is shown. The 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro, putting the games in South America for the first time.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic Village is shown.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic Village is shown.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the National Shooting Center is shown.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the National Shooting Center is shown.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic Hockey Center is shown.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic Hockey Center is shown.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Rio Olympic Velodrome is shown.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Rio Olympic Velodrome is shown.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic BMX Center is shown.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic BMX Center is shown.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic Tennis Center is shown.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic Tennis Center is shown.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Sponsor Village is shown.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Sponsor Village is shown.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Rio Olympic Park is shown.
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Rio Olympic Park is shown.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
riffran
Oct 5, 2009 11:19 AM CDT
I like how the press spun it as "IOC DENIES OBAMMA THE OLYMPICS".....what utter bullshit...but then again the truth doesn't make good headlines without a little tweaking..a simple Rio gets the olympic bid...is just waaaay to plain
Cprizzle
Oct 5, 2009 9:50 AM CDT
It will be interesting to watch this. Considering London has had serious issues paying for theirs, I can only imagine it'll be worse for Rio.
serfinWI
Oct 5, 2009 1:11 AM CDT
The gang beating up a kid with a 2X4 in Chicago didn't make for such great publicity. I wouldn't walk certain streets in Chicago, much less drive them with my windows rolled down. Like Rio, Chicago should do a roundup

 
crime • Brazil • Rio de Janeiro • Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva • 2016 Olympics

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