The Olympic games in Brazil start in about seven weeks. The state government that includes Rio de Janeiro has declared a “financial disaster,” reportedly enabling the state to funnel funds to the troubled games. Rio is also at the center of the world’s Zika plague, causing many athletes to refuse to attend. Russia’s track teams have been banned from competing at the Olympics, due to a previous doping sanction. Two world boxing federations have forbidden its members from attending the Olympics. Many of the biggest NBA stars are refusing to compete on another U.S. “dream team.”
Some people are calling for the games be cancelled or postponed. Do you agree? Or should we just let it happen, despite the problems, even if that means a less than perfect event?
From Rio state government declares financial disaster as Olympics loom | Fox News:
The acting governor of Rio de Janeiro’s state government declared a state of financial disaster Friday in an effort to change budgetary priorities without disrespecting Brazil’s fiscal laws.
Francisco Dornelles’ move will let him adopt exceptional measures to pay costs related to the upcoming Olympic Games as the state grapples with the country’s steep economic recession.
Dornelles’ office said in a statement that the decision was made because a dip in revenues from taxes and oil royalties was “stopping the state of Rio de Janeiro from honoring its commitment to the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.” He said the state is facing a “public calamity.”
“The financial crisis has brought several difficulties in essential public services and it could cause the total collapse of public security, health care, education, urban mobility and environmental management,” the statement said.
Rio’s state government is in such dire straits that two of its hospitals were taken over by the Rio de Janeiro city government to allow doctors to keep receiving their paychecks. Some police stations are so underfunded that they have asked neighbors to donate basic items like toilet paper. Public workers and retirees have suffered months-long delays in receiving their money.
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