Danielle Armour
The countdown is well and truly on for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
With just under four days until the opening ceremony, all eyes are on Rio de Janeiro and how the city will handle such an influx of people from across the globe.
As Brisbane journalist Robert Craddock put it, “Welcome to the Mystery Games.” Athletes, commentators and fans alike agree that there is a great deal of unknown about the first Olympic Games to be held in South America.
The media has painted a grim picture of the typically vibrant Rio. In the lead up to the Olympic Games, Zika virus was a main concern for those hoping to compete, with the risk of infection causing some athletes to abandon the event completely. the World Health Organisation declared Zika a public health emergency of international concern in February, the US Centre of Disease Control and Prevention has concluded that the Olympics will account for less than 0.25 per cent of all travel to Zika affected countries this year.
There has also been numerous issues in the Athletes Village which houses competitors for the duration of the event. Some athletes’ entry into the Village was postponed due to a number of problems including blocked toilets, leaking pipes and exposed wires. Thefts were also reported during an evacuation of Team Australia’s building due to a fire the basement.
Water Pollution has become an issue yet another issue. However, Australia’s chef de mission Kitty Chiller dismissed concerns, stating that this problem is not exclusive to Rio and that Team Australia will continue to enforce their existing strict health and hygiene protocols for all water-based sports.
Regardless of the controversy surrounding the Games, there are plenty of Australian stars to watch out for as our athletes go for gold.
Swimmers Cate and Bronte Campbell are the ones to watch in the pool, ranked first and second in the world respectively for the 100 metre freestyle event.
Having recently been awarded a gold medal from his event in London after the Russian winner was disqualified for doping, Jared Tallent is again expected to medal in the 50 kilometre race walk event.
Jessica Fox is another athlete with a chance at gold, looking to win the single K1 canoe slalom event.
If everything goes to plan, the 2016 Olympic Games will be a huge success for both Brazil and Australia.
Expect to find Australians glued to their television screens for the next few weeks. The opening ceremony will be held on Saturday 6 August at 9am, Australian Eastern Standard Time.
