Posted on Jul 22, 2016
SFC J Fullerton
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The Olympics in Rio are almost two weeks away. The Brazilian government is a mess. Social unrest, water pollution, zika virus, and now viable terrorist threats inspired by ISIS. Given the current issues with the infrastructure in Brazil, it is questionable that government can provide ample security for the games. Is it time to just pull the plug?
http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/21/americas/brazil-olympics-terror-arrests/
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 12
1SG Vet Technician
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I think the entire concept should be ended. The competitive spirit has be largely replaced by corporate interests. Hosting an Olympics has become a financial burden on the selected cities. There is almost never a return on the investment done to build new venues with the latest and greatest, and the increased cost of security makes this even worse.
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Capt Tom Brown
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I lost all interest in the Olympics when professional athletes started competing.
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1SG Vet Technician
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Yet another reason
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CPT Jack Durish
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This could lead to a host of new Olympic events including 100 meter sprint for your life and broad jumping minefields
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MSG Mechanic 2nd
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swimming home
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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The Olympic games are all about not giving up, and the spirit of the competition for one's country. What message does it send of we just up and quit?
I don't think so.
Heavy support may be necessary to ensure things go well.
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MSG Mechanic 2nd
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i agree but, i vividly remember 1972
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MSG Mechanic 2nd
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with the zika whats WHO doing about it nothing has been mentioned about that
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MSG Mechanic 2nd
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no we dont quit but in the analysis of the situation, do we go in and risk lives, of those representing this country, i'm all for competition did it my entire life , but when a threat exists, unless your millitary no, more needs to be done, are you willing to provide that, i am if asked
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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MSG (Join to see) - Plenty of organic threats in Rio before we start sweating the likes of ISIS. I think that they need to monitor and take measures to control mosquitos and other known vectors for Zika. I am certain that there will be plenty of security around.
Munich was another era, where terrorism was a new phenomenon and largly thought to be isolated in the third world. I don't think anyone is complacent now.
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Should the Olympic Games in Rio be cancelled?
Cpl Jeff N.
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This is what happens when you put them in a third world country. I expect there will be at least one attack by Islamic Terrorists. Crime, weapons and lack or real security create an environment where an attack could easily be plotted and executed. This is, unfortunately, a perfect target for the radicals. Lots of people in tight spaces. An attack like we saw in Nice is not beyond the realm either.

Didn't we lost track of one of the Gitmo detainees down in South America (Uruguay) too?

The smart people have already decided not to go. This may completely change the way the Olympic Games sites are selected.
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SFC J Fullerton
SFC J Fullerton
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The civil unrest may be a bigger threat than ISIS in Rio.
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Cpl Jeff N.
Cpl Jeff N.
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I think they both are a huge concern. ISIS can plot and plan in the slums in Rio with little concern of law enforcement showing up.
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LTC Owner
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SFC J Fullerton I don't think cancelling the games is a good idea. Yes there are issues, I think Rio should reach out to neighboring states for assistance. We cannot give in to terrorist.
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LTC Owner
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SFC J Fullerton - I would hope that they would ask for assistance and that others would offer assistance.
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LTC Paul Labrador
LTC Paul Labrador
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IMHO the terrorist issue is not even the main problem. I'm not even sure that Rio is even ready to hold the games. Last I heard there were major issues with the venues not even being competed yet.
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SSG Carlos Madden
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LTC Paul Labrador - The same thing happened weeks before the World Cup too. We all knew this was going to happen but they'll be ready.
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SFC J Fullerton
SFC J Fullerton
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LTC Paul Labrador - And the water situation for the open water events is supposedly worse now that it was 6 months ago. There is also major civil unrest not associated with terrorism that is a threat to disrupt the games.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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No but I would say any Un-Protected Celebratory Sex is out of the Question.
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SCPO Investigator
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Rio is a classic example of the politics and money involved in running the Olympics. Rio should NEVER have been given this or any slot to host the games.
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SFC J Fullerton
SFC J Fullerton
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That is true. That curruption has caused the Barazilian people to resent thier government. The majority are against the olympics taking place and unrest has already began with the torch running through.
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MSG Mechanic 2nd
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will this be another 1972 olympics with even more problems
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SSG Carlos Madden
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Edited >1 y ago
No. Thats the kind of thing ISIS benefits from. The threats may be real but the fear doesn't have to be. These kinds of events have always had threats (ie Munich, Atlanta) but we shouldn't stop global competition because of it.
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SFC J Fullerton
SFC J Fullerton
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Perhaps the issue is not so much the terrorist threats, but the ineptitude of the Brazilian government to be prepared to hold the games as they vowed to be, which apparently they are not.
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SSG Carlos Madden
SSG Carlos Madden
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SFC J Fullerton - Maybe, but I don't think this is an issue. People were having this same conversation two years ago before the World Cup. There was a lot of unrest then because of government corruption and neglected internal infrastructure - particularly in the cities. Similar to the US, citizens were questioning the validity of spending money on new stadiums while there were so many social problems to deal with first (the increased bus fare was one of the biggest grassroots issues at the time). In the weeks prior, there were reports that the stadiums weren't complete and wouldn't be ready but in the end they were and all the World Cup matches were played on schedule. Since Brazil just hosted a global event, we already know they are capable of successfully hosting the Rio games and completing the venues on time.
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MSG Mechanic 2nd
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hope so
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SPC James Harsh
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I wouldn't say whether they should or shouldn't seeing as locally Boston Mayor Walsh and Gov Baker flaked out on hosting the Olympics in Boston after winning the bid and will now be held in Los Angeles.
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