{"id":38097,"date":"2016-08-05T12:00:07","date_gmt":"2016-08-05T19:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=38097"},"modified":"2016-08-05T12:17:00","modified_gmt":"2016-08-05T19:17:00","slug":"rio-summer-olympics-brazil-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/rio-summer-olympics-brazil-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer Olympics Underway in Rio as City’s Preparation Takes Center Stage"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Over 11,000 athletes are in Rio de Janeiro to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics, but the greatest victory will come by way of a safe and secure 16-day event. (Image: Jewel Samad\/AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 2016 Summer Olympics officially kickoff this evening in Rio de Janeiro, and while the athletes, fans, and media are ready for the competitions, it isn’t quite so clear that the city itself is.<\/p>\n

Opening ceremonies begin at 8 pm local time in Rio.<\/p>\n

The Brazilian city is one hour ahead of the United States’ coveted Eastern time zone. NBC will delay its coverage by an hour to air the event at 8 pm ET instead of 7 pm, much to the dismay of many fans.<\/p>\n

More than 11,000 athletes will compete in 39 sport disciplines now through the closing ceremonies on August 21. But after years of planning and preparation, or lack thereof on the part of Rio, plenty of serious concerns linger as the world’s greatest sporting tournament begins.<\/p>\n

Uh-Oh de Janeiro <\/strong><\/h2>\n

The controversy surrounding the 2016 Summer Olympic<\/a>s will likely have a lasting impact on the games. Brazil is the first South American country to play host to an Olympics, and its severe shortcomings in adequately preparing Rio is expected to push Olympic organizers back to holding the event in more stable regions of the world.<\/p>\n

Africa is now the only continent to never host an Olympics. That likely won’t change anytime soon.<\/p>\n

While Rio’s mishandling will have long-term consequences, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and nations around the world are more concerned with the next 16 days in Rio.<\/p>\n