‘Welcome To Hell’: Mutilated Body Found Near Rio Olympic Site, As Bankrupt City Faces Disaster
With a mere 34 days to go before the opening ceremonies in Rio, the international community is starting to worry about the next Olympic Games.
The situation in the bankrupt city just got worse when authorities discovered the mutilated remains of a human corpse near the Olympic games site.
A dismembered foot and another body part of a young woman were found Wednesday on Copacabana beach, only yards away from the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics beach volleyball site.
A crime wave is also sweeping the city and a team of German broadcasters became the latest victims when their broadcast equipment was stolen in broad daylight as they where forced from their car in the city market.
To make the situation in Rio perfectly clear to visiting foreigners, and to underscore the seriousness of not paying city law enforcement and fire fighters, a group of people protested at the airport last week, reports CNN.
“Welcome to hell. Police and firefighters don’t get paid, whoever comes to Rio de Janeiro will not be safe.”
Messages like this have popped up all over the city, as citizens in Rio struggle to survive without the basic necessities and the world’s top athletes prepare to compete; a similar message appeared on a freeway overpass, reports CNN.
“Welcome, we don’t have hospitals.”
Rio Olympics venues FAR from complete with just 5 weeks to go https://t.co/McaBBLgWkg pic.twitter.com/k2BiHNBCY2
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) June 29, 2016
That same day, the acting governor of Rio de Janeiro, Francisco Dornelles, told newspapers he hasn’t received Brazilian federal funds to pay for security or transportation, according to CNN.
“I am optimistic about the games, but I have to show the reality. We can make a great Olympics, but if some steps are not taken, it can be a big failure.”
Earlier this week, a 27-year-old Rio man tried to extinguish the passing Olympic torch by throwing a bucket of water on it; he missed and wound up soaking the torch bearer and nearby security guards before being arrested, reports CNN.
“I have the torch, but don’t have education, health, security, quality of life.”
Rio citizens have protested the high costs associated with the Olympic Games, arguing the money could be better spent on providing basic resources for the community instead of hosting the international community.
Two state hospitals have already declared bankruptcy, public workers haven’t been paid in months, and law enforcement has taken to begging for basic supplies like toilet paper.
Michael Phelps has qualified for his fifth Olympic Games: https://t.co/u3EHZzkxX0
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) June 30, 2016
The Rio de Janeiro state government declared a financial state of emergency in mid-June so Brazilian federal funds could be used to help pay costs associated with the 2016 Olympic Games, according to Fox News.
“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.”
There’s also the added fear of the Zika virus and the discovery of super bacteria on Rio beaches and in the waters scheduled to host swimming and boating events.
The first ever Olympic Games to be hosted in South America, the Rio Olympics, are scheduled to kick off August 5, but several top athletes and media figures won’t be there.
At least one Olympic athlete has chosen to freeze his sperm before heading to Rio and pregnant media broadcasters have chosen not to visit the city.
The fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, may not be able to compete in Rio because of a tear in his hamstring, but Olympic swimmer Missy Franklin will be there, as will Australian swimmer Cate Campbell, who just set the 100 meter world record.
What do you think? Is it possible for the 2016 Rio Olympics to be a success or is it doomed to be a dismal failure?
[Photo credit: AP Photo/Renata Britto]
