Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes "sought to rally confidence in the city's ability to smoothly carry out the Olympic Games less than 50 days away" after state Gov. Francisco Dornelles "declared 'public calamity' over the state's finances last week in order to ease up additional funds for Olympic works," according to Taylor Barnes of USA TODAY. Dornelles in his declaration wrote that authorities "would need to take 'exceptional measures' in order to 'honor its commitments to carry out the Olympic Games.'" He added, "Any institutional instability could mean a risk to the image of the country that would be difficult to recuperate." The measure will allow the state of Rio to seek an additional $90M from the federal government this year "even as the state's projected deficit is already estimated to reach" $5.5B. Chief among the state's concerns are "finishing the metro line that will link the touristic Ipanema beachside neighborhood with the western region of Barra, where the majority of Olympic events will take place." Paes "admitted that there are contingency plans involving the metro, now expected to be completed only days before the Aug. 5 Olympic opening ceremony." But he said that such plans "would not be as 'adequate' nor as 'comfortable' as an underground metro line" (USA TODAY, 6/22). CBS’ Norah O’Donnell noted the “problems are growing” for the city after two Australian Paralympians were “robbed at gunpoint near their hotel in Rio.” CBS’ Ben Tracy noted the “Olympic spirit is not being felt in Rio’s poor areas, the favelas that sprawl over the city’s hillsides.” Tracy added that the net wanted to ask Paes "about that criticism and the still horribly polluted waters many athletes will be competing in," but Paes "cancelled an interview with us twice on the same day a major media outlet, (the AP), accused him of corruption” (“CBS This Morning,” 6/21).
NEW STRATEGY: In Tacoma, Dave Boling wonders if Rio is "going to kill the Olympics," or will this "looming disaster force the IOC to change the Games for the sake of survival?" It is "not worth it to host the Olympics." Boling: "The only reasonable and sensible alternative to the system of bidding by host cities is to develop a rotation of half a dozen sites at large cities around the world, with extant suitable venues, in-place infrastructure, and readily available security" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 6/22). In Utah, Doug Robinson writes there are "nothing but flaws" associated with the Rio Games. Other than "tainted athletes and the sewage and the recession and the street crime, the Rio Olympics promise to be a wonderful sporting spectacle" (DESERET NEWS, 6/22).
