Shambolic start to Rio Games amid queues, security scares

[Gerald]

The Rio Olympic Games got off to a shambolic and nervous start on Saturday, with organizers apologizing to angry fans kept waiting hours at security checkpoints to enter venues while, outside, shootings and bomb scares kept visitors on edge.

Athletes competed in front of empty stands early on the first day of full competition as spectators complained of missing their events while queueing for security clearance.

The morning after a dazzling opening ceremony, organizers admitted to dropping the ball, with only a few hundred spectators making their way into venues such as the gymnastics arena and the beach volleyball on iconic Copacabana beach.

Outside, lines stretched for several blocks as fans stood in full sun and security staff struggled. Organizers blamed a lack of coordination between security personnel, including the police, Games staff and private security firms.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ol...-idUSKCN10H0QI

It will be interesting to follow how this will work out in a variety of perspectives.

Note: Sat Aug 6, 2016 4:43pm EDT

[Jimbuna]

Try to expand.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Try to expand.

First and foremost, the security.And in various places in the country at large, at least where the games take place,I think of security, communications, infrastructure, health care who have a probable peak these days, and how the police are supposed to act in relation to the large population in the slums, where there already has resulted robbery assault by television crews and ordinary people who are there to see the games.

[Feuer Frei!]

The financial markets in Brazil don't care one bit.
Doing very well.

Investors and Olympic games don't care about each other.

As for the Games, ask disgruntled local Police ("Welcome to Hell" signage posted at Rio's airport to welcome visitors, by them, no less), Chinese basketball team dodging a gang shootout after arrival....the list goes on.

Oh how could i forget, a torchbearer showing his dislike for his government by....dropping his pants. in the middle of an official ceremony.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

The financial markets in Brazil don't care one bit.
Doing very well.

Investors and Olympic games don't care about each other.

As for the Games, ask disgruntled local Police ("Welcome to Hell" signage posted at Rio's airport to welcome visitors, by them, no less), Chinese basketball team dodging a gang shootout after arrival....the list goes on.

Oh how could i forget, a torchbearer showing his dislike for his government by....dropping his pants. in the middle of an official ceremony.

Probably similar to the awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia but I doubt any public outrage will be tolerated or allowed.

[STEED]

I do know one thing the BBC got slammed for their bias boring commentary on the opening event.

[Skybird]

My left tired eye opened a tiny little bit to notice the start of the games. The start of the games was indicated by a news I picked up: that the Brazilian government had ordered all doping tests on Brazilian athletes to be suspended since I think four weeks before the opening ceremony.

And immediately my eye lid fell down, and shut again.