Brazil in a Mad Dash to Prepare for World Cup and More Protests

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RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil is getting ready for a party. That's not exactly news in itself, but this time the entire world is invited. From June 12 to July 13, the country will be the stage for one of sport's most keenly watched contests, the FIFA World Cup.

But rather than celebrate the return of soccer's pre-eminent event to Brazil for the first time since 1950, much of the news has focused on the civil unrest, constant delays in construction and escalating costs that have plagued the preparations for this event.

What many people perceive as vast overspending of public money on the event led to demonstrations that made front-page news across the globe during June's Confederations Cup, which serves as FIFA's annual World Cup dress rehearsal.

The death of two workers at the Arena Corinthians stadium site in Sao Paulo, scene of the tournament's opening ceremony on June 12, also raised concerns about worker safety. In total, nine workers have died on stadium sites amid the rush to have arenas ready on time, after FIFA's deadline of December 31 proved wildly optimistic.

As we enter the final weeks before the World Cup, three of the 12 stadiums have yet to be finished.

Camila Melo of the Sao Paulo state football federation acknowledged that more protests are a possibility during the World Cup. "All organs involved in the preparation of the event are working knowing the possibility of democratic protests," she said.

However, that prospect has not dimmed Brazilians' enthusiasm for the event. "To watch a World Cup match would be something very special for Brazilians. Interest is huge, as has been proven by the enormous demand for tickets," Melo said.

When the first-come, first-served phase of ticket sales opened in mid-March, more than 200,000 were sold in the first five hours. Total ticket sales now stand at more than 2.5 million of the 3.3 million available and are exchanging on secondary markets for enormous sums. Tickets for the quarter-final, for example, were being auctioned for as much as $750—almost eight times their face value.

However, even from close up, preparations appear haphazard. The number of host cities—12 in total—has given the Brazilian Football Confederation and FIFA several projects to complete. To complicate matters even further, there have been numerous construction delays.

All of which raises the central question driving the debate about the World Cup in Brazil: Is that haphazardness part of the quirky nature of a nation seemingly constantly dressed in sun, samba and beer, or does it point to a political system that is rife with corruption?

Thanks to the global media attention that Brazil has attracted with its double sports whammy of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the debate has been heard far behind its borders, spawning protests that threaten to disrupt an event most Brazilians hold dear.

According to Cynara Menezes, a well-known political observer who writes the Socialista Morena blog on the Carta Capital magazine website, Dilma Rousseff, the Brazilian president, "only speaks of political reform now, after people have been protesting on the streets."

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Brazil President Dilma Rousseff


FOOTBALL: MORE THAN A GAME

It is no secret that Brazil bleeds soccer. It seeps from its society's pores.

Brazil is the most successful nation in World Cup history, with five titles to its name. Despite winning consecutive World Cups in 1958 and 1962, it was their 1970 triumph that turned the world's attention to the Brazilian way of football.

Considered by many to be the greatest team in the sport's history, the side that featured the talents of Pele and Jairzinho is now the bar for which all sides since have been measured.

"It was like a rebirth," radio broadcaster and football blogger Eder Ramos de Oliveira said, explaining the redefinition of style of play that Brazil's 1970 team had on the game.

"Remember, Brazil were already two-time world champions and with some of the greatest players of the era. Nilton Santos, Bellini, Garrincha and a young Pele. But in 1970 it was perfection. It is, and always will be, the benchmark."

Since that 1970 triumph—completing a string of three World Cup titles in four attempts—there have been two more successes for the Selecao, in 1994 and 2002. And every failure is magnified when compared to a side that captivated the world more than 40 years ago.

In this part of the world, it is not enough just to win the World Cup. Brazil must win with panache. The notion of o jogo bonito, football as an art form, is paramount.

The World Cup unites Brazil like no other event, perhaps aside from Carnival. Whilst there are big screens erected to watch in public, the majority watch the games at home surrounded by family and friends.

Then, should the side be successful, the people take to the streets in a cacophony of color, celebration and ecstasy. This year, every day of a Brazil game will be a national holiday.

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Pele rides on the shoulders of teammates after 4-1 win over Italy in 1970 World Cup final.



POLITICAL PROTESTS BECOME THE STORY

Despite Brazil's success at the Confederations Cup—they lifted the trophy after beating Spain 3-0 in the final—the biggest story was the protests that swept the nation in an enormous wave of anger and rebellion.

What started as a minor protest in Sao Paulo against a 10-cent rise in bus fares came to embody every grievance the people could muster against the government.

Thanks to social media, especially Facebook and Twitter, action reached all cities associated with the Confederations Cup. In Rio de Janeiro, a union between the middle and working classes—unprecedented previously—left a trail of destruction in protests which came to represent a stand against huge public spending on the World Cup, a figure that has reached $13 billion, with the majority of that money coming from public funding, as acknowledged by the Brazilian Ministry for Sport.

By comparison, the last World Cup, held in South Africa, cost a little more than $1 billion to prepare.

So charged is the atmosphere that a middle-class protester only wanted to give us his first name, Diego. He is a 23-year-old university student with hopes of one day becoming an international diplomat and is naturally concerned that too much exposure could hamper his future path and prospects.

"The reasons we acted were simple. What was a source of pride became a source of embarrassment," he said of hosting the World Cup. "But it went beyond that. Our actions came to be a symbol for everything we feel is wrong with the country. The fact such small objections went nationwide so quickly is proof we are not the only ones who feel anger and resentment."

Those sentiments are easy to understand. Billions of dollars are being poured into what is essentially a month-long celebration, and the public is being forced to foot the bill.

The protests go beyond huge public spending. They are against the wasteful use of public money.

It is worth noting that when Brazil was awarded the World Cup in 2007, the estimated cost of stadium construction was $924 million. But a problem that always existed with the building of so many new stadiums was the possibility that many of them would be of no further use after the World Cup.

In cities such as Cuiaba, Natal and Manaus, which have a lack of football heritage, that danger is acute. But no city faces heavier criticism in that regard than the capital Brasilia, whose stadium construction costs could top $900 million, more than three times its initial budget.

As Menezes, one of the foremost writers on Brazilian politics today, explained, while the protests began over a small rise in bus fare in Sao Paulo, "they spread to involve many current problems in Brazilian society."

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Protesters march toward the stadium where a Confederations Cup semifinal was taking place.

Citizens snatched their chance whilst the world was watching. Protesters saw a chance to make their voice heard, not only in their homeland but around the globe, and they took it.

But were they successful? Well, bus fares were lowered to the original fare. And people came away from the Confederations Cup speaking not about Brazil's increased chances of a repeat performance during the FIFA World Cup, but of the political movement that seemed to be sweeping the length of the land and threatened to stay.

Subsequently, in order to protect themselves from further incidents during the main event, the federal government is now trying to push through a law banning public protest.

Photographer Carlos Alberto da Silva Junior has been working in Rio de Janeiro for 19 years and recently covered the protests at the city's Central train station, where a cameraman was fatally wounded during a battle between protesters and police.

He believes protests will occur irrelevant of any laws passed. "During the World Cup, it is going to be a war," he said.

At the start of 2014, the Brazilian federal government drafted in 10,657 National Force operatives to help police deal with ongoing protests that may reach a crescendo during the World Cup. All have received specialist training in dealing with civil unrest.




WHAT'S TRIGGERING THE PROTESTS?

It is impossible to discuss the World Cup without mentioning Brazilian politics. It is involved in every aspect of life.

How can a government, fully aware of the poor standard of schools and hospitals in the public sector, justify spending a figure that is expected to reach $13 billion on a month-long sporting event?

"It should have been possible to use money from private investment for the World Cup, whilst public money is invested in health and education," Menezes said. "It is a question of priorities.

"For me, the biggest problem with the World Cup is the huge overspending on stadiums. The World Cup will place Brazil in the middle of the planet's attention, for good and for bad. Maybe it won't be such a bad thing to highlight our problems, our inequalities, our poverty. I sincerely prefer that to hiding them from view."

Andrea Cordeiro, from the Ministry for Sport, counters that such criticism is unjustified.

"There is no foundation in that whatsoever. Brazil is not failing to spend on health and education to fund the World Cup. On the contrary, investment in health and education has tripled since 2007. Since 2010, Brazil has invested $358.8 billion in health and education."

What is also ignored by such criticism, Cordeiro said, is the long-term benefit such investments will have for Brazil. "The spending is investment in airports, ports, security equipment and technology. They are investments in Brazilian cities which the inhabitants will benefit from beyond the World Cup."

After making front-page news across the globe, protests at the World Cup could still take on a huge mantle, but not everyone agrees that will be the case, political writer Rafael Cal said.

"There is a widespread expectation that people will take to the streets in greater numbers than last year," he said. "But I don't think the middle-class protesters, who were heavily involved during the Confederations Cup, will be as vociferous this time around."

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A protester in Rio de Janeiro is doused with tear gas by a member of the Brazilian police.

However, with less than a month to go until the World Cup, Black Blocs and other anti-government movements are already making plans for action.

"So we ask: Who is this Cup for?" socialist Keila Lucia de Carvalho said. "It has become evident it is not for the majority of the Brazilian population."

The protests, missed construction deadlines and overspending have caused some Brazilians, including Pele, to become disenchanted with Brazil's decision to host the World Cup, an event that was meant to be a dramatic expression of Brazilian culture, a demonstration that there is more to this country than sporting prowess and rife political corruption.

Roberto Goulart Souza Ribeiro, 38, is one of them.

"When Brazil were awarded the World Cup [in 2007], it was a proud moment," said Ribeiro, who is from the host city of Belo Horizonte. "Brazil was in a good moment economically. There were many plans for development of infrastructure and airports.

"Now, in 2014, what have we seen? There have been very few improvements to infrastructure. Building works at Galeao [Rio de Janeiro's international airport] are not concluded. The budget for every stadium is over the limit.

"Hosting the World Cup has left me with feelings of frustration. There have been no benefits for the Brazilian people."

To ensure that the World Cup party is one to remember for all, there are numerous obstacles to overcome. Besides limiting the violence during protests, construction must be hurried to be finished on time.

All building work was supposed to be finished by December 31, 2013, the FIFA-imposed deadline. But on May 16, 27 days prior to the tournament, work to the external structure of the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo was still being carried out.

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The Pantanal in Cuiaba arena under construction.

Structural work to the temporary stands is still not finished despite numerous warnings from FIFA. Two other arenas, the Pantanal in Cuiaba and the Baixada in Curitiba, are undergoing test events to prove their safety.


THE COUNTRY OF TOMORROW, TODAY

The World Cup preparations, over the last seven years, have been like a telenovela—one of the famous Brazilian television soap operas. The Brazilians have a famous saying: "Sempre se da um jeito."

There's always a way. In the nick of time, everything will sort itself out.

During this wild ride, there has been happiness, pride and optimism. There has also been anger, shame, violence and even death in the rush to get everything ready to receive the world.

The World Cup dominates Brazil, and not only because 2014 is the year the five-time champions host the competition. As a source of national identity, Brazil's glorious footballing past has been an enormous point of pride for its people.

But the buildup to this edition has evoked emotions and actions of a completely different sort.

The World Cup is facing major threats, not to mention the real possibility of a wasted opportunity.

It seems that Brazil has been "the country of tomorrow" for decades. There comes a point when that must be transformed into progress.

This was supposed to be that time.

Robbie Blakeley graduated from the London School of Journalism before moving to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in May 2010. He has worked as a sports reporter for The Rio Times for four years and has contributed to When Saturday Comes, Xinhua and The Daisy Cutter. He has also been featured on several radio broadcasts, including BBC 5 Live and TalkSPORT.

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Note to Olympic Sailors: Don’t Fall in Rio’s Water

By SIMON ROMERO and CHRISTOPHER CLAREYMAY 18, 2014

Continue reading the main story Video
Sailing Rio’s Spoiled Bay

Two years ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympics, sailors on Rio’s Guanabara Bay train in water tainted by sewage and garbage runoff from poor neighborhoods.

Credit By Jimmy Chalk on Publish Date May 18, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO — Nico Delle Karth, an Austrian sailor preparing for the 2016 Summer Olympics, said it was the foulest place he had ever trained.

Garbage bobbed on the surface, everything from car tires to floating mattresses. The water reeked so badly of sewage that he was afraid to put his feet in it to launch his boat from shore.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Mr. Delle Karth said of Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, where the Olympic sailing and windsurfing events will take place.

Even as Brazil scrambles to finish an array of stadiums for the start of the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament in less than a month, it is already coming under scathing criticism for its handling of the next mega-event on its plate, the 2016 Summer Games.
Continue reading the main story

Francesco Ricci Bitti, president of the influential association representing various Summer Olympic sports, said the Rio Games were in “the most risky position” of any Olympics he could remember. John D. Coates, an International Olympic Committee vice president, said last month that Rio’s preparations were “the worst I have experienced,” with construction yet to begin on the Deodoro sports complex, the second most important site after Olympic Park.

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Well-financed efforts to clean up the bay have proved disappointing for decades, undercut by mismanagement and allegations of corruption. Credit Ana Carolina Fernandes for The New York Times

Guanabara Bay, nestled between Sugarloaf Mountain and other granite peaks, offers the kind of a postcard image Rio’s authorities want to celebrate as hosts of the 2016 Summer Olympics. But it has become a focal point of complaints, turning Rio’s polluted waters into a symbol of frustrations with the troubled preparations for the Olympics.

“Welcome to the dump that is Rio,” Germany’s sailing team said in one typically blunt assessment of the site for the Olympic regatta.

Brazilians training here agree.

“It can get really disgusting, with dog carcasses in some places and the water turning brown from sewage contamination,” said Thomas Low-Beer, 24, a Brazilian Olympic hopeful who sails in the bay. He shuddered when recalling how his dinghy crashed into what he believed was a partly submerged sofa, capsizing him into the murky Guanabara.

Though international officials complain that Brazil has had almost five years since winning its Olympic bid to make headway, some of the delays stem from chronic problems the nation has long fought.

Well-financed efforts to clean up the bay have proved disappointing for decades, undercut by mismanagement and allegations of corruption. The political rivalries among local, state and federal layers of government have led to infighting, including an impasse over who should pay for certain Olympic projects. Protests over forced evictions to make way for the Olympics have slowed construction.

The Olympics are hardly the only pressing concern for a country grappling with an economic slowdown. The World Cup begins on June 12, and several of the 12 stadiums where soccer games are supposed to be held are not finished, while a number of transit projects will not be completed until after the tournament. Underscoring the troubles, a construction worker died in an electrical accident this month — the eighth worker killed in an accident at a World Cup stadium site.

Preparing for the Olympics may prove even more challenging. Brazilian officials had contended that 2007 Pan-American Games venues could be refurbished at low cost. But last year they had to demolish the cycling venue because it failed to meet Olympic standards. Now Rio plans to build a new structure costing 10 times as much as the original.

Strikes have delayed repairs at the Engenhão stadium, a Pan-American Games venue intended for 2016 track and field events, after it was closed last year over fears that its roof might collapse. Violent clashes between striking workers and security personnel have also delayed work on Olympic Park, the main cluster of venues.

Some officials say the situation is more precarious than the troubled run-up to the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

“I think in terms of time available, we are even worse,” said Mr. Ricci Bitti, president of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations.

Mr. Ricci Bitti and other Olympic officials have publicly asserted that there is no Plan B, that the Games will not be moved from Rio. Still, Brazilian officials have reacted to criticism with statements that have not exactly reassured Olympic officials.

Eduardo Paes, the mayor of Rio, told reporters that he and other authorities were “pretty sure” they would deliver on their promises to have the venues ready in time.

Brazil’s sports minister, Aldo Rebelo, lashed out at unconfirmed reports that Olympic officials were considering moving the Games.

“You can be guaranteed it is nothing but a bluff,” Mr. Rebelo said. Pointing to large sponsorship agreements for the Rio games, he said, “I doubt the Olympic Committee wants to lose that business.”

Of all the challenges Brazil faces, cleaning up Guanabara Bay may be the toughest.

Officials vowed to tackle the problem after the United Nations Earth Summit here in 1992 drew scrutiny of Rio’s foul waters. The Rio state government secured more than $1 billion in loans from Japan’s government and the Inter-American Development Bank for cleanup projects, but they have not been even remotely successful, according to environmental experts. The State Environmental Institute in Rio de Janeiro estimates that more than 10 percent of the trash here is not collected, much of it flowing into the bay through canals and degraded rivers.

Vast amounts of raw sewage leak into the waters. Officials set a goal of treating as much as 80 percent of it by the 2016 Olympics, but less than 40 percent is currently treated.

State environmental officials have acknowledged they would fall short of that goal, The Associated Press reported over the weekend, citing a letter sent to federal authorities requesting more funding to battle pollution.

Calling the bay “dark, brown and stinking,” Lars Grael, 50, a Brazilian sailing legend who won two Olympic medals, said he had encountered human corpses on four occasions while sailing in the bay. He told reporters that officials should move the sailing events to a resort area hours away by car.

The authorities here insist that nothing of the sort will happen. Carlos Portinho, Rio’s top environmental official, said the criticism of Guanabara Bay was exaggerated, contending that recent tests had shown that fecal contamination in the Olympic regatta area was within “satisfactory” standards in Brazil.

Acknowledging that reversing pollution in the bay was a “long-term project,” Mr. Portinho said that officials had deployed three small “ecoboats” to collect garbage; by the Olympics, he said, 20 or 30 might be operating. He said that new sewage treatment plants were being built, while floating “ecobarriers” would facilitate the collection of trash in the bay.

Brazilian environmental experts say the efforts are a fraction of what needs to be done.

“The government could deploy aircraft carriers to collect the bay’s garbage and the problem would not be solved,” said Mario Moscatelli, a biologist. “The bay is still a latrine. It’s an insult to Rio’s people to say it will be clean for the Olympics.”

In 2008, China grappled with an algal bloom that threatened the Olympic sailing at the Beijing Olympics. But Chinese authorities deployed about 1,000 boats, compared with the dozens that could ultimately constitute Rio’s garbage fleet.

“China did a really good job cleaning up the water,” said Ian Barker, a former Olympian who is a coach with Ireland’s sailing team.

As for the few boats now collecting trash in Rio’s bay, he said, “that seems to be the sum total of what they’ve done so far, which is not even scratching the surface.”

Simon Romero reported from Rio de Janeiro, and Christopher Clarey from Boston. Miriam Wells contributed reporting from Rio de Janeiro.

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offbad said:

lol brazil

thank your international sports governing boards for selecting such an inspiring place. 

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denni5themenace said:

the selecting committees are far too corrupt to even care

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