Rio, an Olympic nightmare

Political corruption, environmental disaster, pathogen infestation, financial ruin, terrorist threats and drug lords: Let the games begin. When the Olympic committee voted to award the 2016 Olympics to a city that has the dubious distinction of being one of the major capitals of crime and murder, let alone one of the largest raw sewage dumps in the world, it should have raised so many red flags for each participating country that something was a bit demanding. And yet, what has already been going on for years has been a complete economic, financial and environmental nightmare.

When Arthur L. Caplan, a New York University bioethicist who wrote in February that holding the Olympics in Brazil would be irresponsible, he has always been right. Scientists still warn that the Zika virus is so dangerous that it would be unethical to allow the Rio Olympics to go ahead as planned this August. More than 100 doctors, researchers and health experts from around the world have signed an open letter urging the United Nations World Health Organization to implore the International Olympic Committee to move or even cancel the summer games from Rio de Janeiro. . saying they are concerned about the potential impact of the virus on global health.

The Brazilian strain of the Zika virus damages health in ways that science has not seen before. An unnecessary risk is posed when 500,000 foreign tourists from all countries attend the Games, potentially pick up that strain and return home to places where it can become an epidemic. If that happens in poor and unaffected places, like most of South Asia and Africa, the suffering can be catastrophic. It is unethical to take the risk, only for Games only with the risk of the Zika virus. The Rio Olympic Games are scheduled for August 5-21 and more than 500,000 foreign tourists are expected to attend the games. Earlier this month, the WHO warned visitors to Rio about the Zika virus and encouraged them to follow protocol, such as protecting themselves from mosquito bites, practicing safer sex and staying in air-conditioned accommodation.

These scientists cite precedent for postponing the games. World War I prevented the 1916 Olympics, while World War II canceled the 1940 and 1944 Olympics. According to the letter, major sporting events have also been moved due to illness, “as did Major League Baseball by Zika and the Africa Cup of Nations by Ebola. Professor Amir Attaran has been arguing that the number of people returning from the games could increase.” the Zika health crisis in Brazil to a full-blown global health disaster. Given all the other issues with Rio’s lax preparation, major crime problems, and political turmoil, there is absolutely no good reason to hold the Summer Olympics in Brazil this summer. the Zika virus is more dangerous and in Brazil, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, the outbreak is more extensive.

These same scientists emphatically lay out several reasons why the Rio Olympics should be cancelled. First is Rio itself. this city is much more affected by the Zika virus than any other place in the world. In Brazil, the Zika strain is more dangerous and potentially deadly. And when so many foreigners are crowded into the Olympic village, the Zika virus is more likely to spread and spread rapidly to their home countries after the game is over. In essence, a global pandemic is a more likely scenario. Continuing with the Games violates what the Olympic Games stand for. The International Olympic Committee writes that “Olympism seeks to create social responsibility and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles”

It is time to put the health and safety of everyone above the monetary value placed on hosting the Olympic Games. So far, with the infrastructure that is supposed to have been put in place to rid the city of Rio of all the sewage and pollution that has ravaged the city for years, there are still vast areas left where human contact would cause further health problems. health of which no one expected. . Contaminated water, the Zika virus, ongoing gang violence, shoddy construction of venues, lack of safe transportation, and to top it off, a bankrupt government all have the makings of an Olympic nightmare.