Is Rio safe?

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Is Rio safe?

“Olympic Games will take place in absolute peace and safety” – Elizabeth-Sophie Mazzella di Bosco Balsa, Brazilian Ambassador to Sri Lanka & Maldives.

The 31st Summer Olympiad is expected to draw people from all over the world to the Brazilian capital Rio de Janeiro. The captivating city of Rio de Janeiro has always been one of the most frequented tourist destinations with its vibrant city center, bursting with culture and its deep sense of history and heritage. Although the second largest city of Brazil is no stranger to flocking crowds and tourists, it is expected to see an additional influx of athletes, officials & spectators amounting to almost 500,000 arriving in the city for Olympic Games. A serious concern on safety during the Olympiad has been raised amid the recent terror attacks around the world. With the likes of French president Francois Hollande, Mauricio Macri of Argentina, Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi, and the President of Paraguay, Horacio Cartes and many high profile heads of state and Governments expected to grace the opening ceremony at the Macarena stadium, Rio could be a potential target of notorious groups aiming to create civil unrest.

Security seems to be a burning issue with reports emerging about two Australian Para Olympic team members being robbed at gun point near their accommodation in Rio. Liesl Tesch, a member of both the Australian sailing and basketball teams, and team physiotherapist Sarah Ross were riding bikes near their hotel when two men confronted them and demanded money pointing a gun at them. When demonstrated that they did not have any money with them the assailants have out muscled them and stolen their bikes. Although the athletes were unharmed they were in severe shock and a repeat of a more adverse event could be detrimental to the success of the games.

Speaking at the Sri Lankan Olympic team inauguration held at the National Olympic house Elizabeth-Sophie Mazzella di Bosco Balsa, Brazilian Ambassador to Sri Lanka & Maldives mentioned that Brazil is ready to welcome the world with open arms and also went on to address the growing concerns around the globe, asserting that “I know that logistics and security are great concerns & legitimate concerns. But let me tell you Brazil have already established (the) capacity to organize major events, Ever since my country organized the United Nations conference for environmental development also known as the Rio EARTH summit in 1992 Brazil has gained an unequal expertise into organization of mega events.  Lately Brazil has seen the Pan American games in 2007, World Military games in 2009 and the World Cup in 2014(Football) and have received unanimous praise for logistics and safety put in place by the Brazilian government. This time, in coordination with the international agencies, Brazil has created a solid safety and anti-terrorism program to ensure that the Olympic Games will take place in absolute peace and safety.”

Despite the reassurance by the ambassador, the fact that a large threat looms over the games where 106 nationalities will make a representation is undeniable. An explicit warning came last November after the horrific attacks in Paris where a French Jihadist tweeted that Brazil was the “next target”. In June Brazilian Intelligence services said it has detected communication linked to the Islamic state group in an online forum.

Brazil’s government, keen on conducting the biggest sporting extravaganza of the world in the most secure manner possible, has disbursed 2.9bn reais ($895m) to cover Olympic security spending by the state of Rio de Janeiro, which declared a state of fiscal emergency just weeks before the sporting event kicks off on 5 August. Security forces will be beefed up to 85,000 Police and Army personnel around Deodoro, Macarana, Copacabana and Barra da Tijuca, the four Olympic zones where the action will take place.  Comfort will have to be traded for more security with more checkpoints, security staff and procedures put in place due to the heightened tensions around the globe. The South American nation is facing their worst recession since 1930 and there has been heavy criticism on the amount of money that is spent on the Games, but Brazilian authorities are not leaving any stone unturned to make sure the first Olympic Games hosted in the South American region will have a peaceful and a safe atmosphere.