Rio citizens hoping 2016 Olympics will give them improved city, better living conditions

Cariocas hoping Olympics will give them new city

RIO DE JANEIRO — Rio’s citizens are anxiously awaiting Friday’s vote on the 2016 Olympics host, hoping a victory will transform the city.

Well known for its unrivaled natural beauty and fun-loving people, Rio is also remembered for its violent crime and the poverty of millions of people living in the city’s slums.

The Cariocas, as Rio citizens are known, believe the Olympics have the power to improve basic conditions and diminish some of the city’s biggest problems.

“If Rio gets the Olympics, like I hope, it will happen. I think everything will be better here,” said 38-year-old maid Juciara Mazelo. “The government will have to do everything it’s promising to do, and things can only improve. I think we would have more jobs, less poor people, less violence on the streets.”

More than 100,000 people are expected to pack Copacabana beach Friday to support Rio, which is competing against Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo, as it makes its presentation to the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen.

Rio is trying to become the first South American city to host the games. It tried to host the Olympics three times before — in 1936, 2004 and 2012 — but never made the final stages.

“We need this, we really do,” said 30-year-old nurse Soledade da Silva. “Things need to change around here, and I think they would if we win the Olympics. With all the construction, the investment, I think it would be easier to find jobs.”

A huge Carnival-like celebration is planned if Rio wins, in part because the Cariocas know they likely will be able to count on billions of dollars in potential investment that the prestigious event can bring to the city.

Brazilian officials are promising significant improvements on infrastructure, transportation, security and other areas if the city is awarded the games.

The IOC evaluation committee praised Rio in a report last month, saying the city sees the games as an opportunity to use sport as a “catalyst for social integration” and to leave “a lasting and affordable legacy.”

Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the Olympics would bring “social transformation” to the city, the nation and the entire region.

Rio has the largest budget among all the bidding cities at $14.4 billion. And a study by Brazil’s sports ministry said the Olympics is expected to create 120,000 jobs each year across Brazil until 2016, plus 130,000 jobs per year the following 10 years. Most new posts would be in civil construction.

Tourism also likely would get a boost, as would the hotel industry. Existing sports venues would be greatly improved, and the local transportation system would be revamped. The city’s main airports and ports already are being renovated, and there are plans to significantly extend the current subway lines.

“It would be good not to have to deal with a crowded subway when coming to work,” Mazelo said. “If the Olympics can help fix that, it would already be a plus.”

Violence has always been a concern in Brazil’s second largest city. Although officials say they would guarantee the safety of participants and visitors, citizens are hoping the improvements last. They already are benefiting from increased federal funding, including $55 million given to the city’s crime-fighting programs last month.

With the billions targeted for the Olympics, local critics doubt the money will be used wisely and say it will not directly benefit the city’s population of six million people.

Still, Rio’s citizens are willing to take the risk.

“This is my home, so I am betting on Rio,” resident Jhony Freira said.

Associated Press Writer Flora Charner contributed to this report.