Whether it’s the Zika virus, or the unsanitary conditions, or the widespread unrest in the country… there’s a lot of angst regarding the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. As the Olympics draw closer in just a few months, that angst is only increasing.
Now one of Brazil’s most iconic athletes is telling potential Olympics tourists and fans one thing – stay home.
Brazilian soccer legend Rivaldo, former World Soccer Player of the Year, made the plea in an Instagram post this week after a 17 year old girl was shot and killed.
Rivaldo’s message, translated into English, says the following via USA Today:
“Things are getting uglier here every day,” Rivaldo wrote. “I advise everyone with plans to visit Brazil for the Olympics in Rio — to stay home. You’ll be putting your life at risk here. This is without even speaking about the state of public hospitals and all the Brazilian political mess. Only God can change the situation in our Brazil.”
We all know that soccer is king in Brazil and the pride the country takes in its legendary figures. So for one of the sport’s most notable names to say that speaks to how alarming the situation truly is in the country.
It’s a scary situation in Brazil with all of these separate crises coming together to form a supernova of anxiety regarding the upcoming Olympic Games. Health concerns, safety concerns, and pretty much every other concern you can dream of has to be on the minds of the athletes and the organizers.
If there’s any solace, it’s that Brazil managed to pull off hosting the 2014 World Cup across the country without a major incident. The country was even lauded as a good host by the New York Times:
Sunday’s final concluded a monthlong tournament that presented a jarring contrast between Brazil’s hosting of the tournament and its achievement on the field. The World Cup was well organized despite fears that it would be chaotic. The Brazilian people were hospitable. The soccer was largely attractive and attacking. Some have called this the best World Cup in recent memory.
Soccer became so absorbing that widespread protests — against perceived wasteful spending on the World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics — did not occur after undermining a warm-up tournament last year.
Hopefully Brazil can make another unexpected turnaround and emerge as a successful host for this year’s Olympics. The country, and the world at large, has their fingers crossed.