adminRIO DE JANEIRO. — A crime-plagued, cash-strapped Rio de Janeiro yesterday entered the one-month countdown to becoming the first South American city to host the Olympics.
Stadiums are all ready — barring finishing touches — and within weeks, Brazil expects to greet at least 500 000 tourists for the August 5-21 Games. The mayor, Eduardo Paes and Brazil’s Olympic committee boss Carlos Nuzman were to give a news conference marking the milestone in Rio’s epic effort to transform from a beautiful but crumbling city to glittering stage for the world’s most-watched event.
“The city is 100 percent ready. It’s an unbelievable city. I’m very proud of our city,” Paes said on Monday at the presentation of a new bus expressway, part of an overhaul to the overburdened transportation system.
Some 10 000 athletes will compete over 19 days in Rio, ranging from familiar sports icons such as sprinter Usain Bolt and swimmer Michael Phelps to the stars of Olympic newbie sport rugby sevens and golf, which returns after more than a century’s absence. —AFP.
Online Reporter