The latest estimates revealed that the Rio Games "cost at least 43 percent more than initially budgeted" and although the event may increase retail sales and boost tourism in the city for the next two months, the benefits "are expected to be short-term." According to the non-governmental organization Council on Foreign Relations the "estimated final cost of the Rio Olympics" is now at $20B, when the initial budget called for expenditures near $14B. The report, along with other recent analyses, hints at the fact hosting the Games "may not be all that beneficial to Rio and Brazil in the long run" (RIO TIMES, 7/26).
STRESSED OUT: Less than two weeks ahead of the Olympics, the Rio 2016 organizing committee "acknowledged that 19 of the 31 buildings in the Athletes Village have yet to pass safety tests." With hundreds of athletes turning up by the day, "this will add to concerns prompted by gas and water leaks and at least one power outage." The organizers "promise to resolve the problems by Thursday." Stress tests -- which should have been done months ago -- "are still less than halfway complete because the 17-storey buildings were delivered behind schedule and the water, gas and electricity were only recently connected" (London GUARDIAN, 7/25).
OLYMPIC AMENITIES: Athletes in Rio de Janeiro "will not have televisions in their apartments at the Olympic village, but will get 42 condoms each to help fill their spare time before the closing ceremony." The village comprises 31 17-storey towers, described as "a city within a city," and will house more than 10,000 athletes and 6,000 coaches. There "are swimming pools, a gym, tennis courts, a 24-hour cafeteria, beauty salon, a florist and a network of cycle lanes." Bedrooms are described as "austere" and do not come with TVs, as was the norm for previous Games, but each has air-conditioning due to fears over the zika virus (LONDON TIMES, 7/26).
CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENTS: Fears "are rising in South Africa that controversy will erupt at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics over middle distance runner Caster Semenya." The 25-year-old, who was forced to take a gender test in '09, is the favorite to take Gold in the women’s 800 meters. Former British distance runner Paula Radcliffe "caused anger among some people in South Africa after raising concerns about athletes with the condition of intersex or hyperandrogenism" (LONDON TIMES, 7/26).
