Chapter 128 Rio de Janeiro 2016

Verse 1

Congratulations Rio de Janeiro and Brazil for getting to host the Summer Olympics 2016!

The biggest surprise was probably that Chicago seen as the favorite by many was eliminated in the first round of voting and this will of course be used against Obama by many republicans that will take any opportunity to find fault with the President.

The final vote stood between Rio and Madrid and with Barcelona hosting as late as 1992 the outcome was almost certain, especially as no south-american city has ever hosted the olympics.

Some concerns regarding the choice of host city and indeed nation is among others the vast amount of money needed to improve infrastructure, some eleven billion dollars is quoted. Included there is not the cost to actually arrange the games that will probably be an additional couple of billions.
A few other issues are the Favelas, huge slums that crowd the city as well as Rio's reputation as one of the most violent cities in the world with big gang problems.

There are naturally several positive things to say about Rio de Janeiro and some that spring to mind are the samba and the beaches. That together with a both friendly and welcoming nature of Brazilians in a city rich with culture and history visitors are bound enjoy the stay.
A tropical climate is of course an added bonus enjoyed by many sun-starved northerners such as myself.

Let us all hope that these are the things the Summer Olympics 2016 in Rio de Janeiro will be remembered for.