As we get closer to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, it appears the host country Brazil is in trouble. Whether it’s the IOC worrying about Rio venues being ready on time, issues with power supplies or scientists cautioning the IOC to relocate the games due to the Zika outbreak, it doesn’t seem like we’re in store for a successful Olympic Games.
Brazil’s new Minister of Sport, Leonardo Picciani, isn’t worried about the issues. He told USA Today he knows the Rio Games are going to be a success.
“Brazil is completely ready for the Games,” Picciani told USA TODAY Sports in an interview Friday. “Brazil and Rio de Janeiro worked hard and seriously in the last seven years to be prepared to host the Olympic Games. We are sure that we will have a fantastic Olympic Games. All the issues are gone and all the venues are fantastic. The people of Brazil are excited to receive all the tourists, all the athletes. I am sure that the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will be successful.”
That’s plenty of optimism from a guy you’d expect to be hopeful for the games. Picciani won’t trash the games, but saying “all the issues are gone” is incredibly far from the truth. Athletes are still cautious about heading to Brazil due to the ongoing Zika outbreak. Picciani told USA Today the number of confirmed cases in Rio of the virus went down from 4,000 in April to 700 in May. That should leave athletes uncomfortable about risking their health to participate. Also, if the venues were all fantastic, there wouldn’t be a “super bacteria” breaking out at some of them.
It’s unknown whether the 2016 Rio Olympic Games will be as disastrous as it seems they’ll be, but Picciani is blowing smoke out of his ass with his comments. That’s his job. There’s still plenty left to be proved to ensure the games will be safe and successful.
