Olympic Finish Lines

The next Olympic games are to be held in Rio, Brazil. Having stayed in that city and viewed both its extreme poverty and its wealth, I wonder how on earth that venue was sought or chosen. Recent news reports indicate severe stress on Rio's economy resulting in demonstrations and violence, even before the games have begun. In fact every country in the past, having hosted the games, has opted for expenses that should merit a gold medal far bigger than those handed to the winning sport competitors. The whole Olympic show is out of control in its glorious pomp. The cheering crowds inside, those who can pay for the seats to view the games and the grand openings and closings, are not aware nor likely care, that there are people living not far away, who can't afford to feed their children properly. To me, it overshadows the true meaning of the original mandate of such an international competition. The games no longer represent sport; it's all about entertainment.  It's Hollywood. It's Vegas. It's Jurassic Park.  Almost forgotten, although of late, even the private lives of those participating have become movie fare, are the athletes and their life-long endeavors to don the designer uniform and represent their countries. The pressure put on young sport figures to achieve not only their best, but also that for entire nations, is vast. The cost to countries who host this show while speaking of how it helps their economy, seem to be blind to those it hurts. Anti-games riots while criminal activity, tell something. They tell that there is dissent and disagreement about what's happening to people, not just the rich who indulge in great events such as The Games, but also how it impacts the poor of those nations. When billions of tax-payer currency is bandied about like basketballs, to effect the lastest technologies in building things for the games that will be torn down after, or converted into facilities that only well-off citizens can afford to use, what is the point? Before we put on the next big show, perhaps there should be a second look at what's really going on with the Olympic Games?