The opening ceremonies of the Rio games in the dystopia of Brazil looms Friday and the concern with punters and the gambling community is not with the athletic performances of the participants, but with the potential health and human rights concerns presented by a chaotic third world infrastructure parroting the functioning mechanism of an industrialized nation on a superficial level.
Current bets are being made on who will be the first athlete held for ransom and what nasty parasite will inflict an array of symptoms. The laughable proponents of the IOC and NBC fuel entertaining water cooler discussion exploring aspects of kidnapping, Zika, the trafficking of cocaine and Bruce Jenner’s once proud existence as a male in Olympic lore and legend. Mercifully, Mohammed Ali was spared from witnessing what should be a very tedious viewing experience.
As with the Beijing games in 2008, climate alarmists are afforded a vivid example of how the hyper-sensitive environmental policy in the US compares with the minimal standards of industrial and human waste management in the developing world. For those with a strong opinion on civics and policy, Brazil’s rampart murder rate correlates directly with strict gun control and the government is currently exploring amending current legislation to give citizens a fighting chance in self-defense. Economic and commerce enthusiasts can access the innumerable available data on vast and blatant cost overruns and the myth that the host city and country realizes substantial and sustained fiscal growth.
Fueled by the above trifecta of issues that barely scratch the surface of the underlying dysfunctional government, what beneficial role does the current ostensible concept of the Olympic games hold as a global event? The majority of participants already compete in yearly and sanctioned world championships in their respective sports. While bureaucrats of the IOC and subsequent affiliated industries prosper and the network of NBC enjoys a nice payday, the hosting country and the athletes are placed into a scenario of high risk with the chance for a very slight reward. As the ratings and attendance continue to dwindle, maybe the Olympics has devolved into a costly and warped environmental and cultural study.
