Rio Declares State Of Financial Disaster Two Months Before Olympics

Rio de Janeiro state Gov. Francisco Dornelles has "declared a state of financial disaster so he has more leeway to manage the state’s scarce resources" less than two months before Brazil hosts the Olympic Games (AP, 6/17). The state government "declared a 'state of public calamity in financial administration' and warned that the situation is so dire it impedes the locale’s ability to meet Games commitments." The state government said the crisis could cause a "total collapse in public security, health, education, transport and environmental management" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/17). Rio is "expecting about 500,000 foreign visitors during the Olympics" (REUTERS, 6/17).