The summer games in Rio de Janeiro don’t officially kick off for another ten days, but the hashtag #RioProblems is already stirring up quite a few concerns.
You might remember a similar hashtag making headlines back in 2014 during the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The #SochiProblems hashtag – and the accompanying @SochiProblems Twitter account – provided a curated list of the horrendous hotel conditions, water that looked more like urine and complicated bathroom instructions.
In what appears to be a new Olympic social media tradition, the hashtag #RioProblems is already filled with reports of problematic conditions in Rio.
READ MORE: Power, plumbing fears plague Athletes Village in Rio
This week Australia’s Olympic team leader announced the country’s 700 athletes and staff would not move into their designated accommodation until troubling electrical and plumbing concerns were fixed.
“Electricity and water is not a good combination,” Kitty Chiller told reporters Sunday, when the village was set to be officially opened for athletes. “I have never experienced a village in this state – or lack of state – of readiness at this point in time.”
According to Australian team spokesman Mike Tancred, just 10 of the 31 buildings were determined to be up to living standards.
And the Aussie’s aren’t the only ones with concerns.
WATCH: Rio Athletes Village plagued with issues
The head of the Argentine Olympic committee has also called Rio’s accommodation “uninhabitable.” The team’s athletes have been moved to nearby hotels instead.
Italy’s Olympic team have taken matters into their own hands, hiring their own plumbers and electricians to fix their athlete’s living quarters, according to local media.
In a statement to Global News a spokesperson said the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is “generally satisfied” with its village accommodations.
“While there have been some initial operational challenges in our section of the Athletes’ Village, we are addressing these and have managed to find good solutions,” read the statement.
Two-time Canadian Olympic diver Jennifer Abel seemed pretty happy upon arriving, sharing a picture from a balcony in the village Tuesday.
However, her caption does read “let’s be focused and safe.”
#RioProblems already has its own Twitter account, too. The @RioProblems account has been documenting Rio’s preparations for the games since early 2014, sharing media reports about Zika virus and issues with building venues.
“At this rate gold medals will be handed out just for surviving the Olympics #RioProblems,” read one tweet that linked off to a report about a bike bridge that collapsed in April, killing two people.
Of course, more #RioProblems could arise once the games kick off.
Violence and security in Rio have been a concern leading up to the Games. Last week, police arrested the last suspect wanted in a case of Brazilian sympathizers of the Islamic State group who allegedly discussed attacking the Olympic Games.
Rio’s murder and robbery rates have also gone up this year and police officers have staged protests to complain about salary delays and poor working conditions, with some police stations missing basic items such as toilet paper.
A recent demonstration at Rio’s airport even greeted visitors with a sign reading, “Welcome to hell.”
Police have also issued a warning about drug dealers selling baggies of cocaine branded with the Olympic rings on them.
Water quality has been a major concern for months – the water where 1,400 Olympic swimmers, rowers, sailors, canoeists and triathletes will compete is said to be contaminated with sewage, pollution and floating trash, all of which could potentially cause catastrophic accidents, illness, or cost teams medals.
READ MORE: Could Olympic athletes bring Zika virus back to their home countries?
There is also the lingering concern about the mosquito born Zika virus.
All of these issues combined have already led some to believe #RioProblems will outshine #SochiProblems.
Comments