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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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13

Congrats, Rio; Now Get to Work

Brazil has some serious cleaning to get ready for 2016 Olympics

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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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13 comments
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Spudsy
Oct 4, 09 1:26 PM CDT
Crime, caused by massive poverty, will be the biggest challenge Rio faces. I fear the cops will their murderous ways in a bid to lower the theft rate. I only know three people that have been to Rio in the last decade and two were ripped off. Maybe we shouldn't count the one that was robbed by his prostitute, idiot. So, one out of three. Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
MarkMcJackoff
Oct 4, 09 2:03 PM CDT
i know people who got mugged in NYC, Chicago, LA and Marseilles - oh, and London! I spend a lot of time in Rio and feel as safe there as anywhere else. What I dont do is visit Favelas, wearing a Rolex and sporting a large expensive camera like so many stupid American tourists are wont to do. At the 2007 Pan-Am games, where the US walked away with most of the medals, there was very little crime thanks to the extra policing brought in from all over Brazil. Dont be scared to visit. Just think of all those samba girls - or is that what is worrying you?
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-1
IN RESPONSE:
Spudsy
Oct 4, 09 2:23 PM CDT
Wow. A homo joke attack. Good stuff. I am sure that Brazil will do a clamp down for the Olympics and they will be safe. I do worry that rather than address the poverty that underlies the problem, they will simply increase the police murder rate which is already 20 percent of all murders. Not an acceptable solution to the problem.
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+2
kokuaguy
Oct 4, 09 1:28 PM CDT
Let's get together in Honolulu, yoedude. See the email address on my profile. Reply
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-1
BryanJ62
Oct 4, 09 1:42 PM CDT
This could be one of those 'Be Careful What You Wish For' kind of things. Reply
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