Article December 14, 2009 Issue

Will Rio be ready?

BY CHANNING WALKER

IF READINESS TO BE JOYFUL equaled readiness to welcome, Rio de Janeiro would have no concerns about its preparedness to host the 2016 Olympic Games. More than a few Brazilians, overjoyed at the prospect of being the first South American country chosen to hold the Games, see their selection as a kind of green light for seven years of celebration in the run-up to the Games. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, publicly wept tears of joy when first notified they'd been selected. Then he joined a multitude of Brazilians dancing in the streets.

Beyond the symbolism of being the first in South America, Rio bursts with virtues as a host city—virtues that include breathtaking scenery, spectacular natural beauty, and wonderful weather, and all are great attractions to tourists.

But the concerns loom large. Violent crime is rampant. Hundreds of gangs, populated with youth—10 years old or even younger—roam the vicinity of the slums, toting guns and even hand grenades. Two thousand murders take place each year.