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Projects of Rio Olympics benefit local residents

CCTV.com

07-08-2016 16:57 BJT

Full coverage: 2016 Rio Olympics

Brazilian officials say Rio De Janeiro is in good fiscal shape as the Summer Olympics get closer. Local residents say their living conditions are looking good as well.

Weak oil prices have hurt Rio de Janeiro. Media reports say tight state coffers could leave public services thin during the Olympic games in August.

However, Rio officials say their city's government is the one that bears most of the Olympic related expenses, and they are confident about their fiscal status.

Residents have started to feel the conveniences resulting from the completion of numerous Olympic projects.

"In fact Brazil's economic recession has no direct relation with fiscal investment in the Olympics. The Olympic special investments are backed by the federal government. As we can see, all Olympic stadiums have been completed on time, and the new Rio subway is about to start operations," said Marcos Vila, commentator of Brazil Youth Radio.

Sixty-three percent of the people in Rio now have access to modern transportation compared with just about 15 percent in 2009 when Rio won the right to hold the Olympics.

"After this express train kicked off running, it saves us considerable time. From my apartment to the Olympic village, it only takes 15 to 20 minutes. Before we only had bus, which needs at least 40 minutes," said Bruna, office clerk.

Experts hope tourists visiting Rio during the Olympic games would help even the investments.
 
"We may be facing difficulties here and there, but we will have a great games. We should separate politics and economy from sports and cultural events," said Antonio Andrade,  economics professor.

Still, some worry that because of the Zika Virus and sluggish recovery in the global economy, consumption could remain weak even during the biggest sports event on the planet.

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