So when it selected Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Games, exactly what did the International Olympic Committee get? One of the most dangerous cities in the world, that's what. When the New Yorker magazine ran a massive investigative piece on gang activity in Rio de Janeiro the week of the IOC's chose it to as a host city, some Rio supporters cried foul. Obviously the piece didn't sway IOC voters: Rio received 66 votes to Madrid's 32, while Tokyo and Chicago lost out early [Ed's note: To which a certain segment of Americans stupidly decided to cheer only because a certain president made a personal pitch --and sorry, you were stupidly unpatriotic to cheer the city's loss].
But it does underscore one of the major challenges facing the city as it prepares to host the first Olympic Games in South America. Rio has one of the highest murder rates in the world. With a population of about 7 million people, Rio endured 2,069 murders last year compared with 510 in Chicago, a city of 2.8 million, and that's high for Windy City (which usually records about 400 annually).
In Rio, large swaths of gangs battle to control more than a thousand shantytowns ringing the city in a turf and drug war. Police commit one in five of the murders, according to the United Nations high commissioner for Human Rights. Tourists and residents are abducted in so-called flash-kidnappings and taken to ATMs to withdraw cash. The gangs are so brazen they often stop traffic along the main airport road to steal money and cell phones.
That's in addition to the traditional problems many designated host cities face in the years prior to the event, like hotel capacity (it needs double what it has, and transportation infrastructure (Rio has nowhere near the mass transit system of Tokyo or Madrid, or even Chicago), and the even bigger question: What to do with it all after the games are gone.
Comments
Looks like progressives/liberals would be damn happy the Olympics are in Rio de Janiero, I mean it's the multicultural haven you leftist dream and preach about is it not. A true liberal society in all it's glory. Now compare Rio's squalor and crime-ridden streets to Tokyo which despite being the largst city in the world is one of the cleanest and safest. Homogeneity and conservatism versus multiculturalism and liberalism with real world results.
It's Rio de Janeiro not Janiero
Are you describing Rio or Chicago?
34 school kids killed this year.
Kids can't read or do math but they know all about gay parenting and how to use a condom which they never do thus the 70% of bastard children.
Whoa... hey author. You think the world is happy Obama got elected? Obama goes and throws his "good looks" and "pixie's dust" on people and... oh yeah. Nothing happens except Chicago gets kicked out first! Obama hasn't done a ****ing thing so far while in office!
And since when James, did you become an authority on what the world thinks; I would suggest that you're mistake is letting your politics color a decision in which politics has little to do with it, but then, no one ever gave credit to partisans for being rational or thoughtful. Of late, it's been more hateful, which is what seems to be driving your attitude.
WWGBD says: "Are you describing Rio or Chicago?..."
It helps to read the article: Rio, a city of 7 million, had 2,069 murders last year compared with 510 in Chicago, a city of 2.8 million. I'm sure you'd love to see 2,000 murders in Chicago, just so you could blame it on Obama.
Blame It On Rio says: "Looks like progressives/liberals would be damn happy the Olympics are in Rio de Janiero, I mean it's the multicultural haven you leftist dream and preach about is it not. A true liberal society in all it's glory."
Only a pinhead thinks in terms of simplistic black and white paradigms, which then often leads to mischaracterizations and inaccurate statements.
Sickago will be the next Detroit, only a larger version of it...
"Sickago will be the next Detroit, only a larger version of it..."
Why would anyone be so stupid to make such a prediction without facts to back it up, or are you just saying that because you hate Obama? That would be even stupider, if such a thing were possible. What a disgusting creature you must be.
Yeah and I bet you got rolls like the Michelin Tire Man Pamela, what's your point nitwit.
BLB says: "Yeah and I bet you got rolls like the Michelin Tire Man Pamela, what's your point nitwit."
Seems like she's making more of one than you, who sadly chose to make an unfounded attack on someone's physique. Is there a point to calling Chicago "sickago" or predicting that it will become the next Detroit when there is no evidence of any such eventuality. If the person (perhaps you) made such a prediction, some evidence would e in order; otherwise it comes off as a childish and possibily political attack when none is warranted. It would be nice of all posters made a contribution instead of an attack. I realize not all are capable, but then they should follow the timeless momily: If you can't say anything nice...
Hey Brucie if you know so much how come you're a middle-aged man who according to your bio can't hold down a job or decide what he wants to be when he grows up.
Oh by the way maybe you should read your sister's comments first before looking down that oversize nose of yours hypocrite.
BLB says: Hey Brucie if you know so much how come you're a middle-aged man who according to your bio can't hold down a job or decide what he wants to be when he grows up.
Still resorting to insults I see, and with old school thinking, no less. I've been in radio for nearly a quarter century, but as to my other interests, maybe I'm just more talented than you.
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