The 2016 Olympic Games: Health, Security, Environmental, and Doping Issues Page: 14 of 39
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The 2016 Olympic Games: Health, Security, Environmental, and Doping Issues
" at least two ambulance units will be stationed at each competition venue, as well
as in many non-competition venues including the Olympic and Paralympic
Village, training sites, and the Games Family hotels;
" well-equipped disaster response teams are trained to respond to a range of
possible emergencies, including dangerous weather conditions, multiple casualty
situations, and incidents involving biological, chemical, or radiological hazards;
and
" each Games venue will have its own mass casualty response plan with a pre-
deployed, fully equipped mass casualty response team remaining on standby.45
The Brazilian Minister of Health has indicated that "Rio de Janeiro is prepared to host the
Olympic and Paralympic Games. Everything that was promised to host the Games will be
fulfilled and on time."46 The International Olympic Committee also indicated that "Rio 2016 is
ready to welcome the world."47 Despite these assurances, in January 2016, some state hospitals
reportedly ran out of money to pay for medicines, equipment, and salaries.48 Another press report
indicated that on July 7, 2016, two medical associations reported insufficient space at a state
hospital and inadequate training for healthcare personnel responsible for visitors of the Games.49
Public Safety and Security During the Games
Securing the venues, the athletes' village, and tourist locations against an act of terrorism in a city
hosting the Olympic Games is a significant undertaking. The host country, with the assistance of
international security partners, plans for a long time to ensure that all participants or visitors to
the Games can have a safe and enjoyable experience. One type of activity that has caused
significant disruption to prior Games is an act of terrorism. Planning for such a terrorist incident
during the Olympic Games, while occurring infrequently, requires a great deal of host nation and
international support.
Safety is also a concern as criminal activity directed at the athletes and visitors could have
negative implications for the Games and the Brazilian economy and tourism.
Public Safety Concerns0
According to the State Department, "crime is the principal threat to visitors in Brazil."5 When the
country hosted the 2014 World Cup, thieves engaged in opportunistic street crime, targeting
tourists near stadiums, on public transportation, and in other gathering locations. Commonly
4s Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, Candidature File for Rio de Janeiro to Host the 2016
Olympic and Paralympic Games, pp. 15-16.
46 "Brazil Opens Control Center for Health Emergencies During Olympic Games," Fox News Latino, July 12, 2016.
47 Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games ," Rio 2016 Is Ready to Welcome the World,' Says IOC
After Final Visit Before Olympic Games,"Rio2016, July 11, 2016, at https://www.rio2016.com/en/news/rio-2016-
ready-ioc-olympic-games-nawal%20el-moutawakel.
48 Foreign Policy Association Administrator, "Is Rio Ready for the Olympics?" Foreign Policy Association, Foreign
Policy Blogs, February 16, 2016, at http://foreignpolicyblogs.com/2016/02/16/is-rio-ready-for-the-olympics/.
49 "Brazil Opens Control Center for Health Emergencies During Olympic Games," Fox News Latino, July 12, 2016.
so Prepared by Peter J. Meyer, Analyst in Latin American Affairs.
51 U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Overseas Security Advisory Council, Brazil 2016 Crime &
Safety Report: Rio de Janeiro, February 15, 2016.Congressional Research Service
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Halchin, L. Elaine & Rollins, John W. The 2016 Olympic Games: Health, Security, Environmental, and Doping Issues, report, August 8, 2016; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc944816/m1/14/?q=%22sports%22: accessed May 2, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.