Lost Stadium Keys May Be Metaphor For Rio Olympics

Tonight is the official opening of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio and these Olympics are probably like no other. The people of Brazil have made it clear they have no interest in hosting the Games, as best illustrated by the fact the Olympic torch relay was pelted with stones as it came near Rio. And most Games always have problems completing the infrastructure needed for such an event in a timely and less than shoddy manner. But Rio has managed to carry those issues to an extreme. From Zika, to polluted water for sporting events, to athletes’ housing being unfit to live in, Rio has managed to set a new low for an Olympic venue. Of course, this is largely due to the collapse in Brazil’s economy which was heavily dependent on the price of oil as well as significant political dysfunction in the government. But I don’t think we’ve ever seen a situation where officials managed to lose the keys to the Olympic stadium and needed bolt-cutters to let spectators in. That may be the most appropriate metaphor for the entire Rio Olympics.

Let’s hope that the athletes can help Brazil and the rest of us rise above it all. Forget the meaningless medal count and focus on those athletes who come from countries where there is virtually no support at all for sport. Just getting to the Games is an incredible accomplishment and for those athletes winning a medal, any medal, is the embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And, despite the disasters in Rio, it is those athletes we should be cheering and celebrating.