Why Rio Olympics can be a huge success

The Olympic rings are placed at Madureira Park ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday. / Reuters-Yonhap

By Valter Junior

There always have been concerns about mega-events during their build-up phases. The press points its fingers to every single problem. It has been this way and will keep going like that. Being an emergent country maybe put bigger on pressure Brazil than on other countries. But in the last decades, each of the cities that hosted a World Cup or an Olympics suppressed their problems and held pretty good events _ the Munich Olympics in 1972 was the only exception, when the Palestinian terrorist group Black September killed 11 on the Israeli Olympic team. Time erases issues. Who remembers of the terrorist attack during Atlanta 1996? Everybody has in mind the great stories but few can recall the tragedies.

So, Rio de Janeiro has a great chance to host one of the best Olympics ever. The world is not used to the Brazilian way of doing things _ everything is ready just by the end of the day _ but in the end, most of the time, there is a happy ending.

At least for a decade, the country is hosting big events. It all began with Pan-American Games in 2007. Then came the Confederations Cup in 2013, which was succeeded by the World Cup. Now the greatest event of all is approaching. One may say that all these events were missed opportunities for Brazil. And that is true. But for those who will come to Brazil for the Olympics and for those who will watch on television, they will experience good moments. The Olympics will be just fine at Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian future not so much, though, but that is not something related with the Games. Those issues come from centuries before. The country will probably face a massive hangover after the closing ceremony, but it won’t affect the Games.

So, the following is a list of reasons why you should believe Rio 2016 will be a success.

The venues are ready

There was a delay, but the venues are ready to receive the athletes. Each one of them, including the velodrome, was tested. Public transport is going in the same path. The metro extension is due to open just days before the Opening Ceremony.

The crisis peak has gone

Crises are not new for Brazilians. The economic and political turmoil of this year have already reached its peak. After President Dilma Roussef was suspended, the protests have been almost extinguished, although, there is big dissatisfaction over Michel Temer’s governance. During the World Cup in Rio, there were no problems with people complaining about the country. Brazilians united to receive tourists. The same must happen now. The turbulence might happen again after the Olympics, when the Dilma impeachment will take place. There remains a chance of her returning to the presidency.

The other main concern, the Zika virus, is also passing. In January, there were 7.000 cases in Rio de Janeiro. Last month there were only 700 cases, a reduction of 90 percent.

Brazilians are a warm people

Brazil is a multicultural and multiracial country. Few places in the world can embrace the Olympic spirit such as Brazil. The country is a great example for people who are from countries in conflict. Brazilians have proved to know how to receive tourists. When they are not at the games there are so many places to visit. It will be a great party on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro.

The best images

Here is something that cannot go wrong. On one side, you have great athletes. On the other, one of the most beautiful cities on Earth. Put them together and you will have breathtaking images. It is easy to say that the Rio Olympics will be for sure the most photogenic games of all times.

The big stars will be in the City

The major stars in sports will be in Rio. Some athletes can’t come because of doping problems, other are afraid of Zika virus, and others just don’t want be here. But the majority of them will come to Rio, and when people like Phelps and Bolt are competing, that will be success for sure. So on your marks, get set, go!

Valter Junior is a journalist for Metro Brazil. He can be reached at vajunior@gmail.com.