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CU Sound Off
Should Rio de Janeiro host the Olympics?
4:00 am Nov 5 - by Tolu Taiwo – buzz Writer
Rio de Janeiro is a city known for a lot of things: it’s the third biggest city in South America; it’s famous for its carnival celebrations and samba music; and now, after beating out Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo for the 2016 bid, it’s currently the proud host of the 31st Olympic Games. However, with the poverty, violence and gang wars that characterize the city’s dangerous, drug laden favelas, Rio’s shanty towns, there is some concern over the city’s capability to host the Games. Rio police said recent efforts to quell slum gangs left more than 40 people dead within a week. Brazil’s president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is sure that the Rio is ready hold the 2016 Olympics and assures that steps are being taken to make the city safer, yet crime isn’t just going to disappear overnight. Should Rio de Janeiro still be host, despite problems in the area?
“Personally, I think they should have gone for Chicago because it was so close. But [then] I think they should have given it to Madrid. I think they have a lot of bias with the selection because [South America] has never had it before, and Europe’s going to have the 2012 and 2014 Olympics. But I don’t personally believe Rio should have gotten it. Especially with all the crime that’s been going on.”
— Jake Sicinski, junior in Chemistry
“I think they should, because obviously they were chosen. The people who chose them took great consideration, and choosing the right place that is capable of hosting the Olympics, it is such a big thing. I don’t think they would choose a country where they thought violence could interfere with that.”
— Iris Karakosta, sophomore in DGS
“I think it would be good for their economy considering they’re kind of small. And considering things like crime happening, I don’t know if bringing the Olympics there would have a huge effect, but it would offer jobs ... I see no reason that just because they have crime they should not be able to hold the Olympics because Chicago has crime. I think [crime is] a terrible qualifier.”
— Amanda Homce, senior in Material Science Engineering
“I don’t know if they should. I trust the
Olympic Committee because they’re professionals. I don’t tell people how to do their jobs ...
It’s pretty bad, but they’ll pull through. The
only way to show them who should have host-
ed the Olympics is to win more gold medals
than everyone.”
— Esteban Gast, freshman in DGS.
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