The 2016 Summer Games Cause for Excitement or Cause for Concern?

Transcription

1 Excitement is building as the world gears up for the 2016 Summer Olympics. They will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5 to August 21. Some 10,500 athletes from 206 nations will stream into the city. They will be eager to compete in 306 events. Half a million visitors are expected to watch them. The Paralympics will follow, from September 7 to September 18. Behind schedule Hosting the Games is a first for a South American country. However, people are watching Brazil with concern. One problem? Not everyone is confident that the venues for the Games will be ready in time. Just 100 days before the opening Definitions ceremonies, construction was behind schedule. The velodrome, equestrian centre and tennis courts were not ready. Neither was a new subway system. It s designed to transport 300,000 people daily along the Olympic event route. If it isn t ready for the Games, gridlock may hobble the city. Workers are also struggling to get a rapid bus transit system up and running. Safety issues Many health and safety problems have plagued Olympic construction, too. On April 21, part of a $16-million bike path built for the Games was destroyed by a large wave. At least two people were killed in the tragedy. The same company that built the bike path is also working on seven other projects for the Olympics. Could these facilities also be unsafe? Observers are also concerned about waterways to be used for several events. Guanabara Bay is where sailing, canoeing and rowing will take place. It is badly polluted by sewage and industrial waste. Brazil pledged to clean up the bay when it was awarded the Olympics. Yet tests have found that just three teaspoons of the water can make an athlete sick. In fact, two sailors got infections at a test event last summer. Fevers and fears Also troubling? Rio is at the heart of a Zika virus outbreak. This disease has infected as many as 1.5 million across Brazil. gridlock: a traffic jam affecting a whole network of intersecting streets Paralympics: a multi-sport international event for athletes with physical disabilities that originated in the United Kingdom in 1948, when a wheelchair archery competition was organized for World War II soldiers with injuries venue: the place where something happens, especially an organized event such as a concert, conference, or sports event Page 14 What in the world? Le vel /2016: Issue 8

2 It can severely damage the brain development of unborn children. Rio also had nearly 20,000 cases of dengue fever in Dengue causes flu-like symptoms that can lead to death in rare cases. There is no vaccine for either disease. No wonder athletes and visitors alike are nervous. Recession, unrest, corruption Meanwhile, Brazil s government is in chaos. In April, the nation s president, Dilma Rousseff, faced impeachment. That means she could be removed from her job. Brazilians blame her for the country s worst recession since the 1930s. More than 1.5 million people have lost their jobs. In response, some three million people took to the streets in mid- March. Observers said it was the largest political demonstration ever held in Brazil. Making matters worse, both people in line to take over from her are facing corruption charges. In fact, 74 senior political figures in Brazil are being investigated for crimes. Even high-ranking Olympic organizers and city officials have been accused of taking bribes. Definitions Not enough money Brazil s poor economy means organizers have to cut goods and services for the Games. They may even charge Olympians for air conditioners in their rooms. Economic woes may also affect Olympic security. The country has promised to protect athletes and visitors with 38,000 military personnel and 47,000 police. Yet funds may not be available to fully finance these operations. All this has affected ticket sales. Only 62 percent of 5.8 million tickets were sold by the end of April far behind targets. Now, the good news Still, there is one bright spot. The 2016 Summer Olympics will likely have fewer doping scandals than other recent Games. Why? The World Anti-Doping Agency has been carefully monitoring the use of illegal substances. That makes it harder for athletes to cheat. Canadian Jean-Luc Brassard, is a gold medal-winning skier. He says Canada may have its best-ever Summer Olympics performance as a result. For one of the first times in decades, our guys will compete Olympic origins The Olympics started 3500 years ago in Greece. However, a Roman Emperor abolished them in 394 A.D. He felt that a pagan festival should not be held in a Christian empire. Over 1500 years later, 24-yearold Baron Pierre de Coubertin reintroduced the Games to the modern world. Mr. de Coubertin strongly believed sport could help bring peace among nations. He planned the new Olympics for seven years. In 1894 an international congress adopted his plan. The first modern Summer Olympics took place in Athens, Greece in The first Winter Games were held in Summer and Winter Games alternate every four years. at an equal chance with their opponents, he says. As for Rio s troubles? Organizers still hope everything will come together. Rio resident Mauricio Santoro also believes Brazilians will get into the mood. People in Rio love a good party, he says. [When] the Games start, foreign tourists will be well received. J abolish: to do away with corruption: dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery impeachment: a formal accusation of wrongdoing against a public official Pagan: relating to an ancient religion that had many gods and praised nature recession: a period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced 2015/2016: Issue 8 What in the world? Le vel 1 Page 15

3 ON THE LINES Answer the following in complete sentences: 1. Where and when did the first Olympics occur? 2. Where and when did the first modern Summer Olympics take place? 3. Where will the 2016 Summer Olympic Games take place from August 5 to 21? 4. How many athletes and countries will participate in these Games? 5. What competitions will occur after the Olympic Games end? 6. List at least two concerns regarding the infrastructure for the Olympics. 7. Describe one additional health and safety concern regarding the Olympics. Page 16 What in the world? Le vel /2016: Issue 8

4 BETWEEN THE LINES An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence. A plausible inference is supported by evidence in the article and is consistent with known facts outside of the article. What inference(s) can you draw from the fact that despite all the challenges and costs of hosting the Olympic Games, the nations of the world continue to come together to compete every two years? BEYOND THE LINES Each Olympics produces signature buildings as well as a new logo, mascots, and motto to reflect the host city and country and its inhabitants. Go to and click on the links to the 2016 Summer Games to view the logo, motto and mascots for the Rio Olympics (or visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_summer_olympics and a) Respond to these designs. What do you like about them? What do you dislike? What do you find particularly interesting? b) Imagine that you are in charge of designing the logo and mascots and of suggesting a motto for a Summer or Winter Olympics that will be held in your city or region. Sketch your ideas on a separate piece of paper. Be prepared to explain your designs. A good design will reflect elements of your city or region, be visually appealing, and appropriate given the context. JUST TALK ABOUT IT 1. As you see it, what is the significance of the Olympic Games? Explain. 2. For what reasons are the 2016 Summer Games a cause for excitement? For what reasons are the Games a cause for concern? Overall, would you say that the 2016 Games are more a cause for excitement or more a cause for concern? Explain. ONLINE Visit our student website at and click on the What in the World? tab to: 1. Find out more about the symbols and rituals of the Olympic Games (or visit 2. Watch and learn about the Olympic movement, past and present (or visit 3. See a pair of inspiring trailers about the Games: Trailer of Rio 2016 Olympic Games and Together Official Olympic Campaign Rio 2016 Olympic Games (or visit watch?v=ruhnjot1nc8 and 4. Visit the Canadian Olympic Team official website (or visit J 2015/2016: Issue 8 What in the world? Le vel 1 Page 17

5 Editorial Cartoon YOUR TASK: Examine the editorial cartoon. Then, answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper: 1. What do you already know about conditions in Brazil ahead of the 2016 Summer Games? Explain. 2. Describe what you see and read in the cartoon. Who is featured? What is this creature doing? Explain. 3. As you see it, what might the cartoonist be saying about how Zika virus may impact the 2016 Summer Games? Explain. 4. For what reasons do you agree with the cartoonist s perspective? For what reasons do you disagree? J Page 18 What in the world? Le vel /2016: Issue 8

6 Map Map Assignment Complete this map assignment to better understand the article. INSTRUCTIONS 1. Obtain the required resources and read all the instructions before starting. 2. Colour your map after all labelling is completed. 3. Print in pencil only first, then go over the printing in black ink. 4. Work carefully and neatly. Part A Locate and label the following countries in CAPITAL letters and shade each as indicated: Venezuela (orange) Colombia (brown) Brazil (green) Ecuador (purple) Peru (red) Bolivia (yellow) Paraguay (pink) Argentina (purple) Part B Locate and label the capital of each country above and underline each city name. Part C Locate and label the following countries in CAPITAL letters and shade each as indicated: Nicaragua (red) Panama (yellow) Guyana (pink) French Guiana (red) Uruguay (yellow) Part D Locate and label the following cities: Sao Paulo Rio de Janeiro Salvador Fortaleza Costa Rica (green) Trinidad and Tobago (yellow) Suriname (yellow) Chile (orange) Part E Locate and label the following rivers and shade them light blue: Amazon Madeira Tapajos Negro Tocantins Sao Francisco Parana Part F Locate and label the following and shade all ocean water dark blue: Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Part G Locate and label the Equator (0 ) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23 S). Part H Complete your map with a frame, title and compass. J Brazil 2015/2016: Issue 8 What in the world? Le vel 1 Page 19

7 ,000 Kilometres