Rio 2016 first week a success despite complaints, says IOC

In the opinion of Christophe Dubi, Executive Director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the first Olympic Games ever staged in South America are a success despite complaints from the public. On Sunday (Aug. 14), he said he was satisfied with what he had seen in recent days in Rio de Janeiro, and that the event had “put a smile on people's faces. We can say that Brazilians and Rio locals have delivered what they promised. If we go back in time, they said we would have great venues and we have spectacular venues. They said we would have a whole new infrastructure benefiting citizens before the Games and this is what they have done.”

The first week of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has provided exciting moments both for those who traveled to Rio de Janeiro to see the games and for those who watched from home. Following compliments to the event organizers after the opening ceremony, there were complaints about the arena facilities and issues with security.

At the competitions, athletes have been able to celebrate new Olympic and world records despite shock with a sudden change in the water color of a competition pool.

With the world's eyes all on Maracanã stadium, the venue for the opening ceremony on August 5, Rio de Janeiro kicked off the 31st Modern Olympics charming Brazilians and foreigners with beautiful displays, lighting, and popular Brazilian music.

Security issues

Outside the lawns, pools, mats, and rings, there were a lot of spectator complaints about the short supply of food in the arenas, slow service, and long queues. As a response, the Rio 2016 Committee hired food truck services right from the first days of the games.

Security issues gained international media attention. New evidence of Rio's reputation as a violence-ridden city emerged as a stray bullet flew into the Equestrian Center, an official media bus carrying journalists was targeted by a stoning attack, and a police officer from Brazil's National Security Force died from a gunshot fired as his vehicle missed its way and entered an area dominated by drug dealers in the Vila do João, a community in the Maré slum complex, north Rio.

Another security issue during the Games was the case of two boxers—one from Namibia and the other from Morocco—who were arrested accused of attempted rape by cleaning ladies at the Olympic Village.

Very close to the Olympic stars, but far from their rights, 3,500 workers at bars and eating places were caught working in substandard conditions at the Rio 2016 premises according to labor inspectors.

Protests and noise

Taking the opportunity of being at the grandstand to express opinions about Brazil's political turmoil was at first banned by the Games organizers, and fans were forcibly removed from the competition venues after showing protest posters and slogans. After controversy, a preliminary injunction prohibited the repression of political demonstrations at the competition venues.

The peculiar, warlike style Brazilians watch their national athletes, taunt their opponents, and celebrate every move sparked off reactions from both opponents and Olympic organizers. Last Friday (12), during a tennis match between Thomaz Bellucci (Brazil) and Rafael Nadal (Spain), chair umpire Jake Garner had to tell the crowd to be quiet as they cheered Bellucci on against the former world No. 1. There were complaints even from the international media that the noise could disturb the athletes.

*With additional reporting by Marcelo Brandão.

Translated by Mayra Borges