Posted on 05/30/2014 7:21:07 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Football legend Ronaldo, a member of Brazil's World Cup organizing committee, said only 30 percent of the infrastructure projects undertaken for the tournament would be completed. Brazil promised a host of projects in conjunction with the World Cup to improve its roads, airports and urban transport networks.
But the country has struggled to finish even essential ones such as stadiums, and has shelved much of the rest.
"I think we're missing an opportunity. A series of investments were promised that won't be delivered. Only 30 percent will be delivered," two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo told a forum organized by newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.
He also elaborated on remarks last week in which he said he was "ashamed" of the delays in preparing for the tournament, which kicks off June 12.
"My shame is for the people, who were hoping for major investments, that's the great legacy of the Cup for us. They were expecting a lot and they're the ones most hurt by the situation," he said.
The former Real Madrid and Barcelona star also joked about Brazil's tense relationship with FIFA. The world football governing body has sharply criticized the host country's delays.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
I guess they are expecting some super-country, whom they hate with a passion, to swoop in and finish the job for them.....
By the time this event ends, Rio will have had the 2016 Olympics yanked.
How many years did Brazil have to prepare for the World Cup? Maybe they should of stopped kicking the ball around and got down to work.
If you like the World Cup I suspect you’re going to love the Olympics.
Sounds like the same people who handled Sochi.
They were awarded the World Cup in October 2007.
Too late for that.What they'll do is hold the track & field events in the various favelas of Rio.That should motivate the runners to set new world records.During a day trip tour of Rio a few years ago our guide pointed out a favela on a nearby hillside (we were touring a national park close to Rio) and she sad that it's so dangerous that the Brazilian *army* doesn't dare to attempt to enter it during *daylight*.With God as my Judge that's exactly what she said.
I read somewhere that the IOC has made contingency arrangements with UK, to have them in London again....just in case the Brazilians screw everything up.
Meh. The IOC could relocate the Olympics to the US with very little notice, as long as they’d be okay with the Games occurring all over the country rather than just around one (or two) cities.
The USA was headed for such disasters for our Olympics- and Mitt Romney saved the day.
You may not like his politics but he seems to be a great businessman
Thanks for the info. Didn’t they also get the summer olympics as well? This does not bode well for them on the international scene. They want to join the big boys but obviously they’re not ready for prime time yet.
Such a shame. Brazil has always been an emerging power, much like India. But their leftist policies and corrupt officials is dragging it into the ground.
RE: You may not like his politics but he seems to be a great businessman
And great MANAGER who knew how to coordinate, manage and handle BIG TASKS.
Contrast that with our sorry excuse for a president.
Yes, they were awarded those in 2009. I think they'll be as big a disaster as the World Cup is shaping up to be. And there isn't much anyone can do about it now. Even if they wanted to yank the Olympics, two years isn't enough time to prep an alternate site.
sheesh--this makes me wish i could attend The World Cup in Brazil...
hear, hear... that is exactly what he had going for him...
About 10 years ago, I was in Rio for a conference. Our 4 star hotel was on Ipanema. As we pull into the hotel entrance, there are about 6 guards armed with Uzis standing by the front doors. It gets worse...a few days later, I decide one afternoon to head for the beach..( OK..I admit it...I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous local ladies in the thong bikinis..) there’s like an underground tunnel from the hotel pool area to the beach..it comes out at the lifeguard station, which is manned by a lifeguard, and 3 guards sporting AKs...even more..they tell tourists..especially the women....to NEVER open a window in a car or a bus..because they’ll reach in and try and rip off any jewelry you’re wearing..one lady actually lost her ear the week before we got there..
No, I believe it is the culture.
I’ve spent a lot of time in Brasil and my Portuguese is good enough that the Brazilians think I am Brazilian - if they don’t talk to me for more than 10 minutes! I love the country, have been all over it, and I love the people more than anywhere I’ve been in the world, and I’ve been all over.
But it’s almost impossible to get anything done in Brazil. Time does not exist - they say, “Don’t take a watch to Brazil -it’s useless.” If you call a meeting of 5, no one will be there at the time set, two will arrive 30 min. late, 2 between an hour and 1 1/2hours late, and one will not show and not call to notify. It is normal and accepted.
Even honest Brazillians will tell you that when you enter a contract in the USA, you fully expect every party to honor the contract, and it’s the exception to not do so.
In Brazil, you expect everyone in a contract to break it in one or many ways - to cheat, steal, lie - or not perform. So you plan accordingly.
I could give many more examples, but these make the point.
Corruption in business and government is endemic and accepted as normal.
It’s amazing that they even got 30% done......
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