Would you go?

[kickerfish1]

So with the 2016 Olympics fast approaching and all the problems associated with Rio de Janeiro, would you go if you were an athlete that was invited? Polution, garbage in the water, terrorist threats, etc. are potential problems facing this years group. After reading some ramblings on ESPN about some of the guys declining to play it is just sad to see this. Some cited they were tired from their regular 'seasons', some were healing from injuries, and others didn't specify. It makes you wonder how many are truly declining due the potential for terrorist attacks, the Zika virus, or other reasons associated with the trash and pollution there that could impact their health. It looks like many of the top basketball players and some golfers have turned down competing.

If the problem with this bad in Rio when they were selected to host it, it makes you wonder why another location wasn't selected from the get go. Why not choose one that was already up to par from a sanitation standpoint?

I know representing your country is one of the greatest honors but I can't say I blame the athletes for not going.

Should be a fun Olympics to watch still, and hoping and praying for all the fans and athletes safety.

[K_Mac]

The reasons Rio or any other city is selected are always the same, i.e. politics and money. I think it is unfortunate that many athletes won't be there, yet I don't blame them. The city is unsafe in many ways. Maybe a lesson will be learned, but I doubt it. It won't be the first Olympics where the cameras show just what they want the world to see.

[Oregon Native]

No kidding!!!   Sad in so many ways

[Jar11591]

What I don't understand is, the problems with Rio such as water-pollution, crime/violence and more recently the Zika Virus are very well documented and not a new issue. Brazil is a developing country, most of which still lives in 3rd-world conditions. The problems were here before the OC decided on Rio de Janeiro, and they will be here long after the Olympics are over. And sure, the Brazilian government promised to get Rio straight before the games, but if that was an option, wouldn't it have already been done, regardless of whether or not the Olympics are happening there? What is the Brazilian government  supposed to say? Of course they're going to say they will clean up the city. They don't want to miss out on all the revenue the games will generate, regardless of if they are able to get the city cleaned up in time. 

But to answer your question, would I go? 

I guess that all depends on my situation, were I an invited athlete. If my sport was one that had a top-level league in the US, such as basketball or golf, I probably wouldn't make the trip, as the biggest honor in those sports don't come from the Olympic stage (IMO). But if I were a swimmer, gymnast or something like that, I would probably make the trip due to the fact that the highest possible achievement in those sports come by way of the Olympic gold. 

It would also come down to finances. If skipping the Olympics meant missing out on possible endorsements or sponsorship deals, that would affect my decision as an athlete to participate. But again, only if that were the best option for these opportunities in the sport I was participating in. 

What is shocking to me is that ANY NBA players are participating. Between the ridiculous NBA salaries, endorsement deals and the fact that an NBA title means a hell of a lot more than an Olympic gold for basketball, I can't believe that any of these guys are making the trip to Rio.

[flyfisher]

I'd go in a second.  To be a representative of my country is an honor and a responsibility and one I know i wouldn't pas up'

[Red Bear]

i read that dead decayed body parts washed up on the beach just feet from where the beach volleyball for the olympics will be set up...crazy stuff

[Gundog]

On 7/3/2016 at 9:28 AM, Jar11591 said:

What I don't understand is, the problems with Rio such as water-pollution, crime/violence and more recently the Zika Virus are very well documented and not a new issue. Brazil is a developing country, most of which still lives in 3rd-world conditions. The problems were here before the OC decided on Rio de Janeiro, and they will be here long after the Olympics are over. And sure, the Brazilian government promised to get Rio straight before the games, but if that was an option, wouldn't it have already been done, regardless of whether or not the Olympics are happening there? What is the Brazilian government  supposed to say? Of course they're going to say they will clean up the city. They don't want to miss out on all the revenue the games will generate, regardless of if they are able to get the city cleaned up in time. 

But to answer your question, would I go? 

I guess that all depends on my situation, were I an invited athlete. If my sport was one that had a top-level league in the US, such as basketball or golf, I probably wouldn't make the trip, as the biggest honor in those sports don't come from the Olympic stage (IMO). But if I were a swimmer, gymnast or something like that, I would probably make the trip due to the fact that the highest possible achievement in those sports come by way of the Olympic gold. 

It would also come down to finances. If skipping the Olympics meant missing out on possible endorsements or sponsorship deals, that would affect my decision as an athlete to participate. But again, only if that were the best option for these opportunities in the sport I was participating in. 

What is shocking to me is that ANY NBA players are participating. Between the ridiculous NBA salaries, endorsement deals and the fact that an NBA title means a hell of a lot more than an Olympic gold for basketball, I can't believe that any of these guys are making the trip to Rio.

^^^^What he said. If it means the income you get from endorsement deals for participating in the Olympics means you can keep training for the Olympics in 4 years then the answer is yes. However if I was someone like Michael Phelps, who's career is pretty much at the max and will not be competing after this Olympics, or a pro athlete who does not need the money the Olympics would bring, I would not go. The risks exceed the reward. My question is who runs the Olympic committee who decided Rio would be great for the Olympics? You would think they would have visited the area just once before making a decision like that. 

[mrmacwvu1]

I would not go to the Olympics even if they were in the states. They make Fifa look legit.

[Last_Cast]

I'd go. no questions asked. Seems like an awesome experience.