Congrats, Rio; Now Get to Work

Brazil has some serious cleaning to get ready for 2016 Olympics
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 4, 2009 12:53 PM CDT
Congrats, Rio; Now Get to Work
In this photo illustration released by Comite Rio 2016, the Olympic Beach is shown.   (AP Photo/Comite Rio 2016)

Rio de Janeiro waltzed into Copenhagen on Friday, elbowed a couple of superpowers aside, whispered in the IOC's ear, and made off with the 2016 Olympics. But now in the cold light of day, Brazil has some serious roll-up-the-sleeves work to do. Its onetime oceanside gem now hangs on a dilapidated infrastructure and is riddled with crime.

Carnival aside, Rio is rated one of the most violent cities in the world, reports Bloomberg—the UN estimates that 20% of murders are committed by cops, and gangs routinely stop traffic to steal from drivers. Although many fear widespread corruption will derail Rio's Games, Reuters reports, others look to the example of Barcelona and the renaissance its 1992 Olympiad brought it.
(More Rio de Janeiro stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X