Rio Games will leave behind a legacy: Brazilian official

Date

8/4/2016 8:45:06 AM

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily)

If the summer Olympics beginning August 5 in Rio de Janeiro finishes smoothly, it will be taken as a victory for those who believed in the potential of reinvestment in a city.

Brazil's most famous port city, Rio de Janeiro, has received a rejuvenation in its public transportation, infrastructure and hospitality sector in preparation for the games.

It has so far cost US$12bn to host the Olympics, according to the watchdog Public Olympic Authority - although this is considered a leaner Games than those held previously.

There's been an expansion of the metro line, increased bus service, expanded highways and 70 new hotels.

The conceptual Museum of Tomorrow, which opened in 2015, already symbolises the port district's redevelopment.

These works follow Brazil's own hosting of two major international events in recent years: The 2012 Rio + 20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development and the 2014 World Cup.

But with such activity, there has been a segment of opposition in Brazil to such investments, asking, 'who exactly will these new structures benefit' and 'why are we spending our money this way'.

Indeed, a brand new stadium and five-star hotel has little meaning to the common person.

But Cristina Ferraz, Minister at Brazil's Embassy in Muscat, argues these projects are an investment for the future and will catalyse Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. 'Rio de Janeiro needed something for the Games,' she said in an interview at the Brazilian Embassy.

'It's important in economic terms You have to invest in infrastructure - it's a permanent investment.'

Cristina said these projects will pump money into the economy and create jobs - already 16,000 in the hospitality sector alone. But more importantly it leaves another legacy: Skills.

In the hospitality industry, workers have to learn how to accommodate foreigners, which includes learning English.

She said the structures that won't be useful after the games will be repurposed - turned into parks and schools.

And hosting such a prestigious event puts Brazil on the map - reaping immeasurable benefits for the country's future tourism.

Cristina admitted there are drawbacks: Land has been appropriated to create space; taxes have risen; daily life has been hindered; and quite frankly, the geography of the city has been changed.

But she is convinced that is still outweighed by the benefits. And she still thinks a majority of Brazilians agree with her.

'No project receives 100 per cent support,' she said. 'My sense is the general sentiment is that it's a good thing.'

Officials are hoping that after the Games end, that sentiment will be proven true.

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