Is Rio Ready for 2016 Olympics?By Matt Doheny

“State of Public Calamity”

One month before the Olympic Games are set to begin in Rio, the city

finds itself in an ongoing “state of public calamity” from which it may not recover in time

for the Opening Ceremony on August 5.

— Source: New York Times

Citing a severe financial crisis that is preventing the state of Rio de Janeiro from

honoring its commitments to the Games, Rio’s Governor Francisco Dornelles

warned of a potential “total collapse in public security, health, education, mobility

and environmental management.”

Government Bailout

By declaring the state of calamity, Rio will receive an $850 million bailout

from Brazil’s federal government, but it is

unclear whether this last-minute cash infusion will fix a number of critical problems surrounding

the Games.

Here are some main concerns…

Construction

Firstly, construction is

still not complete and is not scheduled to be until just days before the Games begin. Image source: www.enr.com

Contract disputes delayed the completion

of the velodrome, prompting Rio organizers to take direct control of construction on June 26.

The venue is not expected to be able to host races

until the Games officially begin.

Metrô Rio

The new metro line linking the main

Olympic Center to other Olympic venues and beaches is also not expected to open until

a mere three days before the Opening

Ceremony.

Public Safety

Measures for public safety may also be

insufficient.

Rio has experienced a number of high-profile crimes in recent weeks, perhaps at least in part because its police officers have

not been getting paid.

Part of the bailout package will distribute back pay to public safety officials this week, but concerns over whether the

government will support them enough during the period of

increased tourism brought on by the Games remain.

Water Pollution

Water pollution may also adversely affect athletes and

spectators.

Bacteria

Brazilian scientists have discovered a drug-resistant bacteria

growing off of some of the city’s most popular beaches, where athletes will compete in sports such as sailing, rowing,

and open water swimming. Image source: fultufaltu.com

These bacteria, which entered the city’s

waterways thanks to hospital sewage runoff, may

have been the cause of German Paralympic sailor Heiko Kroger’s teammate’s

severe skin infection.

At this point, only 51% of the city’s water has been treated.

Zika Virus

The Zika virus is another

public health concern.

Image source: www.dailymail.co.uk

World Health Organization

Though the WHO is confident that

precautions such as mosquito repellent and/

or long-sleeved shirts and pants will keep athletes

and tourists healthy, some athletes have chosen not

to compete in Rio.

Fortunately, the Games will take place during Brazil’s winter,

making the climate less hospitable for

mosquitoes.

However, pregnant women should not risk exposure to

Zika under any circumstances.

Finally, the shutdown of Rio’s anti-doping lab last month for “nonconformity” to international standards creates a logistical challenge for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which will have to use an outside lab to test blood and urine samples from Athletes.

With so many challenges, it is unclear how prepared Rio will be on August 5, but the city is doing everything it can to ready itself.

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• Matthew “Matt” A. Doheny holds an extensive curriculum vitae as an entrepreneur, finance expert and political pundit which features past and current successes in the industries of the investment fund, distressed asset and financial management. To contact Matt Doheny, click here.