like they could afford the greens fees...
Posted on 11/25/2016 5:40:03 PM PST by C19fan
Just three months after the Olympics ended, Rio's beautiful but controversial golf course is eerily quiet with birds' squawks far louder than the whack of balls. Built specially for the 2016 Games on what had been a nature reserve next to the beach in western Rio, the links-style course was meant to convert Brazilians to a sport they barely know and put the city on the international golfing map. But the $19 million facility created by star US designer Gil Hanse risks turning into a white elephant instead. A payment dispute could even lead to the imminent exit of the company responsible for upkeep, raising questions over the course's survival.
(Excerpt) Read more at verizon.yahoo.com ...
Paging Donald Trump Jr, please pick up the Brazilian phone...
Exactly
The Olympics has become another way for politicians to build their own presitige at the cost of the taxpayer.
It is also a way to spread taxpayer dollars to favored contributors through construction contracts.
The Olympics should quietly slip back in to history because we can not afford bread and circuses anymore.
It would never happen, but it might be nice to have two sites for all future Olympics — perhaps one in Greece, perhaps one in Canada or Norway or someplace.
Build it once. Build it well.
Countries that participate every 4 years pay a fee to maintain the sites on a continuing basis.
In between Olympics, the sites can be used for training and/or recreation.
Make it on-going, self-sustaining, and consistent. Summer and Winter, no one will get stuck with a $20B white elephant every few years.
I have heard this idea before. It makes a lot of sense, considering the high price of playing host to an Olympics Contest. Brazil’s citizens were openly furious with it’s own government, lavishing billions of dollars on games and parades that don’t even operate very long. This while the people were largely out of work. This while thousands of orphaned child-gangs continue to roam the streets and commit crimes. This during the summer of Zika.
The debt of about a billion or so Montreal had took decades to pay off but it eventually was. The main stadium was incomplete when the Olympics were held. The tower was eventually built and until the Expos moved to Washington the stadium was in use. Now it has achieved white elephant status. The next door matching velodrome was converted into an indoor garden. What happened to the other facilities I am not sure.
I agree with the idea of a permanent site with the IOC running the whole show. Done right they would probably make more money than they do today.
Sad. This seems like a really nice, fun course in a beautiful setting. Alas, not surprised it will wilt away.
I know this guy named Zero that loves to golf . Please take him.
The Olympics have become a one world boondoggle.
Pray America woke
Install a bunch of giant loop-de-loops and windmills and it’ll be great.
SO... they turned a nature reserve into a golf course and the greenies from Canada to the tip of Chile rejoiced.
“Build it once. Build it well.”
This is a great idea. The Olympics are no longer about athletes but about money & power. We could probably add sex into the mix.
Typical fate of Olympic facilities built in 3rd world countries. Within a year, the jungles will have reclaimed all of the various Brazilian Olympic facilities.
like they could afford the greens fees...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.