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| The Olympics are likely the only time you will see 'amateur wrestling' on your television - if at all. |
- To collapse violently inward
- To fail catastrophically
There is just over a month to go until the biggest reality show on earth.
Kardashians - eat your heart out!
I am talking, of course, about the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro Brazil.
This will be the first time that an Olympics has been held on the continent of South America. There may be a reason for this exclusion. South American countries are rife with poverty and undemocratic governments as well as a myriad of other issues. There was a time when the Olympics were awarded to developed nations that could afford to build the infrastructure and were capable of hosting the short term but intense influx of tourists and athletes. The theory was that an Olympics would provide an economic boost to the host city as well as leave the sports facilities for future benefit.
Does this theory hold water?
Canadian examples may provide some answers to this discussion:
- The Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988 used a blend of new and existing venues to stage a moderately successful celebration. Canadian athletes fell short in the medal winning department - zero golds medals - but the athletic facilities were a boon to future Canadian competitors.
- The Vancouver Winter Olympics were a medal boon -14 gold medals - for Canadians due to athletes who trained at Calgary sports facilities. These Olympics also used a blend of new and existing infrastructure to stage a successful and celebratory world gathering.
- The 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics drew awesome crowds and helped showcase Montreal on the world stage. However the grossly underfunded Canadian athletes won few medals - also zero golds - and were contenders in few sports. Most of the venues had no effect on future athletes. The Olympic stadium now has no permanent tenant. The velodrome, pool and running track are long gone. Montreal taxpayers finally paid off the Olympic bill in the past decade.
- The Athens Summer Olympics in 2004 brought the Olympics back to its Greek birthplace. The financial strain of constructing the competition sites helped pushed Greece into bankruptcy. There has been little lasting legacy from the sports infrastructure.
- The Bejing Summer Olympics in China were rife with pollution and civil rights issues.
- The 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia dealt with population displacement, environmental treachery, and rampant cheating. They also tried to have a winter Olympics somewhere that rarely gets winter weather.
Is Rio De Janeiro ready for these Olympics?
South America has hosted the Pan Am Games and Rio held the World Cup of Soccer in 2014. However these upcoming Olympics have some simmering issues that are reaching boiling point.
Here are some political, environmental and social problems:
- Political Instability - Brazil's President is suspended and awaiting impeachment proceedings for financial impropriety.
- Brazil is a hot spot for the mosquito borne Zika virus which can cause problems for pregnant women. Numerous athletes in different sports have withdrawn due to this health concern.
- Water pollution is an issue to many water sports such as rowing, yachting, triathlon,open water swimming. Athletes training in Rio have contracted water borne viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
- Crime is rampant in Rio. Just recently 2 Australian Para Olympians were robbed at gunpoint.
- Security issues - Police forces in Rio are underpaid and going on strike.
- Firefighters are underpaid and threatening labor dispute action.
- Rampant poverty - Much of the local population will not benefit economically and can't afford tickets to events.
- Fears of terrorism - Munich in 1972 had terrorism and Atlanta in in 1996 had a bomb explosion.
- Sports corruption within FILA - the world governing body of soccer.
- Sports corruption within the I.A.A.F - the world governing body of Track and Field.
- Doping issues with Russia, Kenya, and other countries.
- Possible collusion between WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) officials and Russian state sponsored doping affiliates.
- The Anti Doping laboratory in Rio has been shut down for inefficiency and incorrect testing procedures.
Are the Olympics even worth the trouble anymore? The answer may be to just hold separate world championships for each individual sport at whatever host city can accommodate them. However, this is unlikely to ever happen. There is too much money and politics involved.
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| Pre Olympic Wrestling Tournament at Canada Cup in Guelph, Ontario Wrestling legend "Mad Dog' Podlog grapples with a Cuban Olympian |
Will I watch the Olympics? Absolutely! I am too much of a sports addict and sleaze junkie to give them a pass! I am not the solution. As an obsessive Olympic viewer, I am part of the problem!
Fortunately I am a die hard track and field aficionado! They will give that sport ample air time.
Hopefully the networks take time from the popular events to give screen time to some of my favorite but seldom shown sports such as weight lifting and wrestling. Unfortunately this is probably wishful thinking. Instead it will be countless hours of beach volleyball once the basketball and soccer matches have been played.
Oh well, I suppose can always watch my events on the internet.
Fortunately I am a die hard track and field aficionado! They will give that sport ample air time.
Hopefully the networks take time from the popular events to give screen time to some of my favorite but seldom shown sports such as weight lifting and wrestling. Unfortunately this is probably wishful thinking. Instead it will be countless hours of beach volleyball once the basketball and soccer matches have been played.
Oh well, I suppose can always watch my events on the internet.
Until Next Time,........ Keep Fit
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