By Zhou Zhiwei, executive director of the Brazil Center of the Institute of Latin American Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences(CASS)
The 2016 Rio Olympics is coming soon, but media reports have given mostly negative news coverage on it. You don't see many people excited about the Olympics.
Nonetheless, there are some bright spots. The Olympic Games can be judged by its organizing efficiency, business operations, and atmosphere. If we use different criterion to evaluate past Olympic Games, you can observe both negative and positive aspects.
Yes, Brazil is facing political and economic turmoil. Political elites, including the nation's president, are worried about their careers amid ensuing bickering, and they could spare little energy for the Olympics. The Brazilian economic crisis is "the most severe since the 1930s," which adds insult to injury.
Yet, preparations for the Rio Olympics have kept pace. It is not easy for a host country to endure such serious crises all at once. The Brazil Olympic Committee and Rio Organizing Committee of Olympic Games continue to place intensive energy on preparations.
Brazil has held a series of international sporting games, including the Pan American Games, Confederations Cup, and World Cup. For the Rio Olympics, Brazil has organized a special team to research the last games and to make preparation plans with details.
Judged from history, it may be hard for Brazil to "get ready in advance," but they can ensure that "everything is ready" before the opening ceremony.
We should be more patient with Brazil. "Please do not imagine Rio as Chicago, New York or London. What we need to do is compare it with ourselves in the past," said Eduardo Paes, mayor of Rio.
In a sensitive period of political conflicts, preparations for the Olympics have proceeded step-by-step to prove the mature system and democratic culture of Brazilians.
Brazil is a nation with multi-races and cultures that can match the Olympics atmosphere. No matter which country you come from, you can find familiar traits in Brazil, such as complexions, languages, music and food.
Brazilians are hospitable and fond of sports. Rio is a city full of passion offering beautiful scenery compatible to visitors from all over the world. It's the first time in human history the Olympic Games would be held in South America.
To confront all difficulties, other countries should provide more support and trust to Brazil. The economic crisis in Brazil is not a special case, considering the overall economic downturn in the world.
Under such circumstances, each country that is expected to host the Olympic Games would face financial challenges as well. Accordingly, the most challenging issue for the Rio Olympics appears to be security concerns.
Rio is the second largest city in Brazil with so many slum neighborhoods where crime has been a very serious problem, including a rash of robberies as a case in point.
Since Brazil's president was impeached, two factions of political powers have been fighting for power. Hence, large-scale protests cannot be ruled out, causing police officers for the Olympics to get distracted.
Brazil's federal government has made proper arrangements to address potential risks, while adding more armed forces to Olympic security. It is safe to say that Brazil is prepared with enough security resources.
The Rio Olympic will be a banquet with strong Brazilian flavors worthy of global attention.
Carlos Arthur Nuzman, chairman of Brazil Olympic Committee, said, Brazil would present to the world a different Olympic Games that would influence future Olympic Games. Hopefully, the Rio Olympics would enjoy a successful outcome, spreading positive energy for our globe.
( The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )
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