[ColdNoMore]

Rio Olympics security firm fired, maligned police force takes over - Yahoo Sports

Less than a week before the 2016 Rio Olympics are set to start, the Brazil Ministry of Justice terminated its contract with a private firm that was supposed to provide security for the games. The ministry cited incompetence and irresponsibility from the Rio de Janeiro-based firm Artel, and moved to strip them of their duties.

It's not hard to see why the Ministry of Justice reacted so harshly. With only a few days left until the first venues are set to open, Artel admitted that they have only hired 500 security personnel.

They were supposed to hire 3,400.

These staff members were going to be responsible for screening visitors outside each Olympic venue. X-ray machines and body searches are now going to be handled by local police forces to secure areas that are expected to have tens of thousands of screaming fans.

It's bad enough that something of this size is being held in a place of current dubious stability, but to think that the locals will have to basically handle all security (if that was a good idea, why not just plan on it in the first place?)...but what a better place and time for the scumbags to strike?

Common sense says that if something nefarious is being planned...it just became a lot easier with security being stretched so thin.

I really, really, have a bad feeling about this.

Never have I wished so much...that I was completely wrong.

[redwitch]

Then the question becomes how are they going to get a police force that gets paid sporadically, at best, and has flat out stated they will not be responsible for Olympic security until everyone has been paid their full salaries to do more than stand around and do nothing? The last I had read was that Brazil was going to use private companies and the military. So,what happened to the military?

Totally agree, CNM, this Olympics is a tragedy in the making. It might make Munich look like a broken toe on a gymnast. Here's praying we are both wrong.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Then the question becomes how are they going to get a police force that gets paid sporadically, at best, and has flat out stated they will not be responsible for Olympic security until everyone has been paid their full salaries to do more than stand around and do nothing? The last I had read was that Brazil was going to use private companies and the military. So,what happened to the military?

Totally agree, CNM, this Olympics is a tragedy in the making. It might make Munich look like a broken toe on a gymnast. Here's praying we are both wrong.

I'm right there with you.

Fingers are crossed so hard, it may affect my overlap grip.

[l2ridehd]

And one other very meaningful piece of news no one seems to want to mention. One of the Gitmo terrorists who we released to Uruguay has somehow become lost and allowed to cross the border into Brazil. This happened about 3 months ago so he has had lots of time to travel the 214 miles to Rio and make what ever plans are needed to strike a major terrorist attack on these games.

Why does our news media ignore these things?

[graciegirl]

I agree completely with all posts on this page.

I am very afraid of a tragedy.

[Trayderjoe]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I agree completely with all posts on this page.

I am very afraid of a tragedy.

The Olympics in Rio should have already been cancelled, and after this fiasco enough should be enough. Given the reported security concerns (leaving out the health, safety and infrastructure problems already identified) and the visibility of the Olympics, no one should or will be surprised if a tragedy happens.

At least postpone the Olympics and change the venue to a city that has already hosted the summer Olympics. The city may need to do some work to refurbish, but it would not be the same as creating an entirely new venue from scratch, and better security could be put in place. At least this way, the athletes who have been training for this opportunity can still achieve their goals, and everyone can benefit from much better conditions.

Shame on the Olympic Committee that they apparently either did not require and/or validate (and calling to ask if they were on time doesn't count) that certain timeline "gates" were being met by the host city.

[Sandtrap328]

I totally agree with all the above posts.

The USA should have boycotted the Olympics this year. Look at the lack of security mentioned above. Those locals won't do anything in case of a terrorist attack - which is a huge possibility.

The sanitation of Rio is a joke. Raw sewage goes directly ito the bay where water events will be held.

Zika is a huge threat to competitors and visitors as well as the strong possibility of bringing Zika back home around the world.

The IOC must have received huge bribes and payoffs to have put the Olympics in Rio.

[HOPSKIPJUMP]

You gatta have a DEATH WISH to go there any time. Going for the Olympics is wishing it comes true.

[Bjeanj]

Ditto to everything already said. I cannot imagine how athletes feel, those who have trained for who-knows-how-long. Do they play? Do they sit it out and miss the chance of a lifetime?

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Trayderjoe

The Olympics in Rio should have already been cancelled, and after this fiasco enough should be enough. Given the reported security concerns (leaving out the health, safety and infrastructure problems already identified) and the visibility of the Olympics, no one should or will be surprised if a tragedy happens.

At least postpone the Olympics and change the venue to a city that has already hosted the summer Olympics. The city may need to do some work to refurbish, but it would not be the same as creating an entirely new venue from scratch, and better security could be put in place. At least this way, the athletes who have been training for this opportunity can still achieve their goals, and everyone can benefit from much better conditions.

Shame on the Olympic Committee that they apparently either did not require and/or validate (and calling to ask if they were on time doesn't count) that certain timeline "gates" were being met by the host city.

The Brazilian government paid hefty kickbacks to have the Olympic Committee chose their nation to host the games so the only way that is going to happen is that the Olympic committee has to give the money back.

In general the Olympic games have become more and more political . and the luster worn thin with the scandals involved doping pay offs, etc

[Walt.]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

And one other very meaningful piece of news no one seems to want to mention. One of the Gitmo terrorists who we released to Uruguay has somehow become lost and allowed to cross the border into Brazil...

Why does our news media ignore these things?

The media ignore a story on a released terrorist? This surprises you? He's probably headed to Brazil to enjoy the synchronized swimming or something...

[goodtimesintv]

Originally Posted by Walt.

The media ignore a story on a released terrorist? This surprises you? He's probably headed to Brazil to enjoy the synchronized swimming or something...

Not to worry. He's probably wearing a surveillance ankle bracelet, like this guy was......

France: Muslim who beheaded priest known to police, wore ankle bracelet to track movements

France: Muslim who beheaded priest known to police, wore ankle bracelet to track movements

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

And one other very meaningful piece of news no one seems to want to mention. One of the Gitmo terrorists who we released to Uruguay has somehow become lost and allowed to cross the border into Brazil. This happened about 3 months ago so he has had lots of time to travel the 214 miles to Rio and make what ever plans are needed to strike a major terrorist attack on these games.

Why does our news media ignore these things?

I would like to read more about this, what is the source?

[biker1]

Easier said than done. It takes years of planning and preparation to host the Olympics. You just can't decide to change venues overnight. They will go on, for better or for worse.

Originally Posted by Trayderjoe

The Olympics in Rio should have already been cancelled, and after this fiasco enough should be enough. Given the reported security concerns (leaving out the health, safety and infrastructure problems already identified) and the visibility of the Olympics, no one should or will be surprised if a tragedy happens.

At least postpone the Olympics and change the venue to a city that has already hosted the summer Olympics. The city may need to do some work to refurbish, but it would not be the same as creating an entirely new venue from scratch, and better security could be put in place. At least this way, the athletes who have been training for this opportunity can still achieve their goals, and everyone can benefit from much better conditions.

Shame on the Olympic Committee that they apparently either did not require and/or validate (and calling to ask if they were on time doesn't count) that certain timeline "gates" were being met by the host city.

[Trayderjoe]

Originally Posted by rubicon

The Brazilian government paid hefty kickbacks to have the Olympic Committee chose their nation to host the games so the only way that is going to happen is that the Olympic committee has to give the money back.

In general the Olympic games have become more and more political . and the luster worn thin with the scandals involved doping pay offs, etc

Agreed and I recognize that the money won't go back, but this should at least trigger an investigation and a change. Yes, I know neither will happen either.........

Originally Posted by biker1

Easier said than done. It takes years of planning and preparation to host the Olympics. You just can't decide to change venues overnight. They will go on, for better or for worse.

The years of preparation and planning include the building of the venues, housing, transportation, etc. While it would not be an overnight change, certainly a former host city has infrastructure in place that might need upgrading which might be faster than a rebuild. Reality is that "the show will go on", so it is a no win situation.