Justice
The Rio 2016 Games Are Unhealthy and Un-Olympian
The Olympics were supposed to elevate the health of Rio de Janeiro. Instead, the risk of Zika makes proceeding with the games “negligent in the extreme.”
In an almost comically ominous sign, officials were forced to resort to bolt cutters to open the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. No one could find the key to the gate. Rio fire fighters had the honor of throwing open the stadium’s doors.
Officials in Rio should have left the lock in place. Even now, with only hours to go until the Opening Ceremony, officials should do the right thing and postpone the Rio 2016 Summer Games. The dangers to the safety of athletes, participants, staff, and tourists—plus the benefits promised but ultimately denied to locals, to the detriment of their health—are far too great. The Rio 2016 Games are un-Olympian.