Today in “these Olympics are screwed” news, we learn security officers are complaining about not being paid for their services. For an city already facing more concerns over security than any host city and nation would like to see, this is just the latest in a string of alarming developments ahead of this year’s summer games in Rio de Janeiro.
According to a report from Reuters, a number of security force team members assembling in Rio de Janeiro have made the decision to return home due to a lack of payments for their time and poor working conditions including a lack of bedding. Some have been forced to sleep on floors instead of a bed. Given the choice of sleeping on the floor and not being paid for my services and sleeping in my bed at home, I think I know which way I would go with that decision.
“Morale is rock bottom,” one anonymous member of the National Force said to Reuters, wishing to keep his identity a secret due to a possibility of being punished for revealing his thoughts publicly. “I’m having to sleep on the floor, our food arrives late and I still haven’t been paid. We’re not being treated like professionals.”
This is hardly much of a surprise. Police in Rio have already put out the word they will be unable to provide adequate security for all who plan to attend the summer Olympics.
Security at the Olympics is always a major concern for any host city, and this year’s games in Brazil have been under a sharp microscope in the months leading up to the world-wide athletic competition. There is still some time to make things right for those providing heightened security in Rio de Janeiro, but considering this Olympic event has already been plagued by issues regarding paying electricity bills and a lack of tickets being sold, there is some legitimate reason to be concerned about the games for those attending as an athlete or a fan, and that does not even include the various health risks from the environment, pollution and Zika those heading to the games must brace for.
Maybe this will all be a big fuss about nothing in the end. Maybe this year’s games will go off smoothly. But time is running short on putting it all together when the world gathers in Rio.
[Reuters]
