As the days count down to Rio’s Olympic debut next year, many critics have noted that
the city still has a high crime rate, high water pollution, and many other challenges
to face in its preparation work.
So what’s going on in Rio?
Are they really ready to host the Olympics in 2016?
Here’s a timeline illustrating some of the city’s major issues over the past several
years.
[October 2, 2009] Rio beats out cities like Tokyo, Madrid and Chicago to win the Olympic
bid for the 2016 Summer Games.
[October 17, 2009] Just two weeks later, gang violence in Rio makes international headlines.
A police helicopter is shot down just a mile from the future site of the Olympic opening
and closing ceremonies.
The Mayor concedes that there is “a long way to go” towards optimal security for
the Olympics.
[July 6, 2012] Construction of the 2016 Olympic park begins.
[June 2013] Thousands of people riot throughout Brazil over the money being spent on the Olympics
and other sporting events, instead of on public healthcare and education.
[April 3-17, 2014] Over two thousand Olympic venue constructions workers strike for better
pay and working conditions, setting the schedule back 2 weeks.
[April 29, 2014] The vice-president of the International Olympic Committee says slow
preparations in Rio are “unprecedented” and the “worst that I’ve experienced”.
He claims construction had not commenced on some venues and water pollution was still
a serious concern.
[November-December 2014] Thousands of dead fish wash up in Guanabara Bay, raising questions
about the safety of the water.
A month later, researchers in Brazil find drug resistant “super bacteria” in Guanabara
bay, where Olympians will be sailing and windsurfing.
[January 2015] A wave of gang violence leaves 5 dead and 30 injured.
News agencies speculate that increased policing in the area has caused gangs to lash out in
a grab for territory.
[February 2015] Thousands of dead fish AGAIN turn up in Guanabara Bay, during a visit from
the IOC.
Rio officials make assurances that all Olympic venues will be clean and “safe” by 2016.
The head of the IOC cautions that “the most intense period of preparations” is coming
with test events happening before the Olympic games begin.
With about 500 days to go before the beginning of the Olympic games, Rio is feeling the pressure.
But despite recent crime and water pollution issues, officials from Rio and the IOC have
remained upbeat about the status of Olympic preparations.
When you hear about pollution, it’s pretty likely that the first country that comes to
mind is China.
To learn about how bad the problem really is there, check out our video here.
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