Photograph — The Intrcept/Tasso Marcelo/AFP/Getty Images

There’s only thirty-five days left until the much anticipated Rio 2016 Olympic Games kick off in Rio, Brazil. However, the South American country, which is the favourite location for a lot of tourists, might not be an excellent place to find oneself come August 5th 2016. Three days ago, travellers arriving at the Rio Airport received a welcome much warmer than they bargained for when members of the police force and the firefighting department greeted them with a banner whose first line read: “WELCOME TO HELL.”

The scenario established by the members of Rio’s emergency services has served to further fan the flames of violence and economic instability threatening to erase any credibility that the city might have left to host the biggest sporting event in the world. If those obligated to provide and ensure safety and security in the city deem it “hell,” it is imagined that only individuals on a suicide mission will be found there by the time the Olympics begin.

As noted on the ‘welcome sign,’ the reason why visitors in Rio are likely to find themselves on a hotbed is that the development of a financial crisis in Brazil has left police officers and firefighters without a salary for months. A protest held on Monday revealed that, besides the unpaid salaries and wages, the working conditions of emergency responders in the country is nothing to write home about. In fact, one police officer disclosed that the force relied on members of the public to provide them with toilet paper, after it was established that there were no provisions for office and field equipment.

In May, former Brazilian football star, Rivaldo openly asked visitors to stay away from his country because its overall conditions are degenerating. Rivaldo cited extreme violence and the worsening health hazard posed by the Zika virus as grounds for why tourists would be in danger if they visit in August.

So far in 2016, Brazil has continued to deal with issues ranging from the discovery of the Zika virus in 2015, to the more recent economic recession and political issues steadily chipping away at the governance of the country. Also, there is a heightened risk of physical and sexual violence tragically exteriorised in the murder of a 17-year-old girl, and the gang rape of another girl aged 16.

Incidentally, the latter events occurred in Rio as well, sparking a string of protests, with all of the other aforementioned events affecting the tourist hub immensely. Presently, security and emergency services in Rio are having talks about going on a strike which could result in a dangerous environment for both locals and the almost 500,000 visitors expected to attend the games next month. To top off the already dreadful-looking atmosphere that could be Rio in August, the city’s Interim Governor Francisco Dornelles sees the Olympics becoming a huge failure if the issues raised – especially around security – are not addressed.

And what happens if you still decide to go to Rio, but you unfortunately get attacked and need medical attention? Another sign outside of the Rio Airport read “Welcome, we don’t have hospitals!” Available health infrastructure and equipment is yet another problem that the Olympic Games faces.

Brazil was chosen to host the 2016 Olympic Games on its fourth bidding attempt, and is the first South American country to do so. The hosting city’s history with sports and tourism, favourable climate and its famed scenery, in addition to the country possessing excellent sporting facilities amongst other factors played a significant role. More than this, Brazil’s efforts at improving its economy between 2010 and 2014 helped to garner the necessary confidence for hosting the Olympics. But it appears that the country’s current afflictions may prevent it from achieving its own iconic place in the history of the Olympic Games.

Commentators on mainstream and social media have expressed doubts about Brazil’s capacity to host the Games at different times, with suggestions that the country should probably consider cancelling or postponing the event. A situation that is highly unlikely now, despite the current calamitous atmosphere surrounding the country. This is also given the level of preparations that have gone into the event, and the rest of ‘optimistic Brazil’ who have long awaited a chance such as this to prove that Brazil is making tremendous efforts to advance its socioeconomic status like its counterparts throughout the globe.

Besides, the only times that the Olympics have ever been cancelled since its conception was during World War I and World War II. Therefore, since the situation in Brazil has not yet reached (and hopefully doesn’t reach) such a low, the most that can be hoped for is that the Brazilian government acts as fast as possible to manage and address the financial and social misfortunes dragging the country down.

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