So, Rio de Janeiro was chosen as the city in which the Olympic Games 2016 will be held.

The video above is one of the elements that got some judges attentions.

It’s really controversial, and I don’t wanna raise a huge discussion on this here.
But overall, it’s a great thing for the city, for the country, and for the Olympics history.
I’ll try to share my point of view on this, and leave the comments session open for discussion.

First, let me explain the polemic raised on the subject.
Among the controversial points are:
1. The fact that the videos presented for the International Olympic Committee shows only the good side of the city. As all brazilians and most foreigners already know, Rio is also a city with slums, poverty, drug trafficking and violence – though it’s arguable if it’s at expected levels for a big city or not (the media exaggeration discussion).
2. The premise that with government corruption schemes, which already raised discussion on the Pan-American Games 2007 (which was also held in Rio), can end up ruining or at least creating problems in an event such as the Olympic Games, which is much bigger.

Ok, with that in mind, here’s why I think it’s still a good thing.
About the first point, I think it’s reasonable to say all candidate cities did the same.
I mean, all of them have their own problems, doesn’t matter if they are located at richer or poorer countries. And after the recent global crisis, this became more evident than how it was some years ago.
About the second one, as a brazilian myself, I can’t say the point is wrong. Unfortunately, I also doubt that there will be no attempts on corruption schemes, smaller or bigger.
But if we are to wait for our government to be completely clean and decent, refusing the huge pile of benefits that an Olympic Games can bring to our country, we might as well forget it.
It’s pretty much what they say about the global crisis… you don’t fight it by stop spending money.

Still on that same idea, one of the huge benefits both for those who are praising and criticizing the points presented, is giving Brazil visibility.
Not only for Brazil, but also for Latin America (this will be the first Olympic Games held in Latin America, and also will be among the few held in a “3rd World Country” and on the southern hemisphere), the greatest thing is to be on the map, gain visibility.

Because visibility can be the key to solve problems and attract foreign investments.
It’ll also generate lots of jobs, which is something Brazil really needs, and can be used to create a chain of good things. Structural improvements, making the city a better place for tourist reception. Eliminate stereotypes and wrong images other countries might have of our country.
I also won’t argue with people saying this was a political choice… I don’t know what the Olympic Committee takes in consideration to make their choice, but I’m happy for my country, and I’m really hopping our government will make the best out of this.

It’s not that I think Rio is superior over other candidate cities in terms of infra-structure, but I kinda like the idea that the Olympic Games are being held in countries that really needs that kind of investment… So I’m also cheering for countries in the African continent or in poorer Middle Eastern or Asian countries.

But I’m finishing the post here… wrote too much already.

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