What a fiasco. The Olympic Games shoud have NEVER been awarded to this city.

[citood]

35. Seven years ago, Brazil was doing well

I remember the nation of Brazil was buying major assets in Portugal...as Portugal was one of the 'pigs' that were close to insolvent (Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain). This was a source of huge national pride, to be buying up assets from their old world colonial lord. Things were good.

Then they got the Olympics. Even better.

Then an economic downturn and political upheaval in Rio - wasn't the mayor booed by Brazilians at the opening ceremony?

Then basic committments were not kept - such as reducing the amount of raw sewage flowing into the body of water that hosted the venues. Then they ran out of money and the rooms in the olympic village were spartan and didn't even have permanent furniture.

This has nothing to do with Atlanta and one terrorist...especially in a pre 9-11 world. I actually thought NBC went out of their way to not highlight Rio's problems...although difficult to hide when Brazilian fans were booing olympic athletes in a show of olympic spirit.

Brazil did not put their best foot forward, and that shouldnt be blamed on anyone else but the UOC and Brazilians.