Here are a couple of highlights from the main article that caught my attention

• Rio’s city government is at times being forced to act like a bank, lending companies money to prevent a slowdown in construction
• OAS, one of Brazil’s biggest construction firms, filed for bankruptcy protection in March after its credit lines dried up. OAS is part of the group that is behind the very much delayed Deodoro Sports Complex.
• Mendes Junior SA backed out of a contract to fix the drainage around the Maracana soccer stadium set to host Olympic matches.
• Rio has admitted it will fail to make good on promises it made in its Olympics bid to improve the sewage system and reduce water pollution in the Guanabara bay by 80 percent.

It is after all one year until the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

In fact, not one water venue was found safe for any water sports, swimming, or boating.

• Rio has only 10% of 56 Olympic Construction, overlay and energy projects are finished. This is in contrast with 80% for the 2012 London Olympic games
• State-run Oil Company Petrobras is embroiled in a corruption scandal, which has implicated several construction firms delivering Olympic Projects, is adding to the possibility of delays.
• Deodoro – The second largest cluster of Olympic Venues located west of Rio where 11 sports including equestrian, BMX Biking, and kayaking will take place is completely unfinished
• Deodoro has limited construction going on – mostly scaffolding about two stories high but nothing else.
• Contracts have yet to be tendered to build the beach volleyball stadium on the sands of Copacabana
• Guanabara bay – where sailing is suppose to be held – is a complete health hazard. The promises to clean the bay will not be cleaned in time.
• Temporary venues for rugby and mountain biking have not been selected.
• Power contracts have not been awarded yet. London awarded them in 20 months before the London games began. There are less than 14 months left before the Rio games begin.

The Case for Los Angeles

Proposed 2016 Venues (Adapted from the 2024 Plans)

1. LA Memorial Coliseum – (Opening Ceremonies, Closing Ceremonies, Track and Field)
2. LA Convention Center – (Badminton, Gym – Rhythmics, Gym – Trampoline, Table Tennis)
3. Staples Center – (Volleyball Finals – Indoor, Gymnastic Artistic)
4. Galen Center – (Basketball)
5. LA River – (Canoe/Kayak Slaom
6. Uytengsu Swim Stadium – (Diving)
7. Microsoft Theatre aka Nokia Theatre – (Fencing – Finals)
8. Aquatics Center – (Swimming, Sync, Swimming)
9. LA 84 Foundation Swim Stadium – (Water Polo)
10. Walt Disney Concert Hall – (Taekwondo Finals)
11. Shrine Auditorium – (Weightlifting)
12. Drake Stadium – (Archery, Cycling – BMX)
13. Pauley Pavilion – (Basketball Prelims 2)
14. Rivieria Golf Club – (Golf)
15. Corsair Stadium – (Field Hockey)
16. Santa Monica Beach – (Triathlon, Volleyball – Beach)
17. Velo Sports Center – (Cycling – Track)
18. StubHub Track Stadium – (Field Hockey)
19. StubHub Soccer Stadium – (Rugby, Football)
20. StubHub Tennis Stadium – (Tennis)
21. Long Beach Marine Stadium – (Canoe/Kayak Spring, Rowing)
22. Walter Pyramid – (Handball)
23. Long Beach Marina/Queen Mary – (Sailing)
24. Long Beach Arena – (Handball)
25. Long Beach Convention Center – (Judo, Taekwondo, Wrestling)
26. Griffith Park – (Cycling – Mountain Bike)
27. Hollywood Sign – (Cycling – Road)
28. Santa Anita Park – (Equestrian)
29. Hollywood Blvd – (Fencing)
30. Rose Bowl Stadium – (Football Finals and Prelims)
31. Qualcomm, AT&T, Sam Boyd Stadiums – Football Prelims 3, 4,& 5)
32. The Forum – (Volleyball – Indoor)
33. Fairplex Fairgrounds – (Modern Pentathlon, Shooting)
34. Rodeo Drive – (Triathlon)

Possible other venues that could be used that was not proposed for 2024:

• Dodgers Stadium
• Angels Stadium of Anaheim
• Honda Center for Basketball or Boxing
• Anaheim Convention Center (Used in 1984 Olympics)
• Ontario Convention Center
• Mount San Antonio College
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona
• California State Dominguez Hills (Used in 1984 Olympics)
• California State Fullerton (Used in 1984 Olympics)
• East Los Angeles College (Used in 1984 Olympics)