By declaring the state of calamity, Rio will receive an $850 million bailout from Brazil’s federal government, but it is unclear whether this last-minute cash infusion will fix a number of critical problems surrounding the Games. Matt Doheny explains.

1. Is Rio Ready for 2016 Olympics?
By Matt Doheny

3. “State of Public Calamity”
One month before the
Olympic Games are set
to begin in Rio, the city
finds itself in an
ongoing “state of public
calamity” from which it
may not recover in time
for the Opening
Ceremony on August 5.

4. — Source: New York Times
Citing a severe financial crisis that is
preventing the state of Rio de Janeiro from
honoring its commitments to the Games,
Rio’s Governor Francisco Dornelles
warned of a potential “total collapse in
public security, health, education, mobility
and environmental management.”

5. Government Bailout
By declaring the state of
calamity, Rio will receive
an $850 million bailout
from Brazil’s federal
government, but it is
unclear whether this last-
minute cash infusion will
fix a number of critical
problems surrounding
the Games.

6. Here are some main
concerns…

7. Construction

8. Firstly,
construction is
still not
complete and is
not scheduled
to be until just
days before the
Games begin. Image source: www.enr.com

9. Contract disputes
delayed the completion
of the velodrome,
prompting Rio organizers
to take direct control of
construction on June 26.
The venue is not expected
to be able to host races
until the Games officially
begin.

10. Metrô Rio
The new metro line
linking the main
Olympic Center to
other Olympic venues
and beaches is also not
expected to open until
a mere three days
before the Opening
Ceremony.

11. Public Safety

12. Measures for public
safety may also be
insufficient.
Rio has experienced a number
of high-profile crimes in recent
weeks, perhaps at least in part
because its police officers have
not been getting paid.

13. Part of the bailout package will
distribute back pay to public
safety officials this week, but
concerns over whether the
government will support them
enough during the period of
increased tourism brought on
by the Games remain.

14. Water Pollution

15. Water pollution
may also adversely
affect athletes and
spectators.

16. Bacteria
Brazilian scientists have
discovered a drug-
resistant bacteria
growing off of some of
the city’s most popular
beaches, where athletes
will compete in sports
such as sailing, rowing,
and open water
swimming. Image source: fultufaltu.com

17. These bacteria, which
entered the city’s
waterways thanks to
hospital sewage runoff, may
have been the cause of
German Paralympic sailor
Heiko Kroger’s teammate’s
severe skin infection.
At this point, only 51% of the
city’s water has been treated.

18. Zika Virus

19. The Zika virus
is another
public health
concern.
Image source: www.dailymail.co.uk

20. World Health Organization
Though the WHO is
confident that
precautions such as
mosquito repellent and/
or long-sleeved shirts and
pants will keep athletes
and tourists healthy, some
athletes have chosen not
to compete in Rio.

21. Fortunately, the
Games will take place
during Brazil’s winter,
making the climate
less hospitable for
mosquitoes.
However, pregnant women
should not risk exposure to
Zika under any circumstances.

22. Finally, the shutdown of Rio’s anti-doping
lab last month for “nonconformity” to
international standards creates a
logistical challenge for the International
Olympic Committee (IOC), which will
have to use an outside lab to test blood
and urine samples fromAthletes.

23. With so many challenges, it is unclear how
prepared Rio will be on August 5, but the
city is doing everything it can to ready itself.

24. If you liked this piece, visit:
www.mattdoheny.org
• Matthew “Matt”A. Doheny
holds an extensive curriculum
vitae as an entrepreneur, finance
expert and political pundit which
features past and current successes
in the industries of the investment
fund, distressed asset and financial
management. To contact Matt
Doheny, click here.