Half Of Brazilians Oppose Hosting Olympics Just Weeks Ahead Of Games

A poll published on Tuesday revealed that half of Brazilians have said that "they are opposed to hosting the Olympics that begin in less than three weeks amid deepening concern over the high cost of the games," according to Brad Brooks of REUTERS. That is "double the percentage who said they were opposed" to Rio's hosting of the games when the same poll was taken in '13. The Datafolha polling institute survey published in the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper also found that 63% of those asked in the latest poll "think the Olympics will bring more costs than benefits," up from 38% three years ago. With a price tag of R$40B ($12.3B), Rio's Games "will be held as a deep recession grinds through its second year" and with unemployment at over 11% (REUTERS, 7/19).