Former Brazilian soccer star: Don't come to the Rio Olympics

[Locutus]

no kidding.

(CNN)With the Olympics set to begin in less than three months in Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil's most successful soccer players has a surprisingly ominous message for international visitors: Stay away.

Brazil is getting "more ugly," said Rivaldo, who was on the country's 2002 World Cup-winning squad, forming part of a lethal attacking trio with Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

Rivaldo warned people on social media about the violence plaguing the city, citing the killing of a 17-year-old girl over the weekend.
The message is likely to frustrate the country's leaders, who have been trying to dispel the notion that Brazil is not ready for the games and Rio is not safe for tourists.

mo obviousness

Rivaldo: Don't come to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics - CNN.com

 

[Blackleaf]

Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. What a formidable trio they were. There have been some great Brazil teams down the years.

 

[Curious Cdn]

Basketball? Baseball?

 

[Blackleaf]

As for the Rio Olympics, I'm looking forward to them. What better city, other than London, to host the Olympics?

 

[Blackleaf]

Basketball? Baseball?

Football, obviously. The national religion of Brazil is football. Even four year olds in Brazil can do 100 keepie uppies without the ball touching the floor. Had Ronaldho, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo been basketball or baseball players then they wouldn't be worshipped in Brazil as living gods.

 

[taxslave]

They don't look like football players. Soccer maybe.

 

[B00Mer]

They don't look like football players. Soccer maybe.

It's called football everywhere but The USA and Canada..

Soccer is gaining lots of popularity, unlike football it's an affordable sport to play and not as rough as football, so less head injuries.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZKb-d-IltQ

 

[Mowich]

no kidding.

(CNN)With the Olympics set to begin in less than three months in Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil's most successful soccer players has a surprisingly ominous message for international visitors: Stay away.

Brazil is getting "more ugly," said Rivaldo, who was on the country's 2002 World Cup-winning squad, forming part of a lethal attacking trio with Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

Rivaldo warned people on social media about the violence plaguing the city, citing the killing of a 17-year-old girl over the weekend.
The message is likely to frustrate the country's leaders, who have been trying to dispel the notion that Brazil is not ready for the games and Rio is not safe for tourists.

mo obviousness

Rivaldo: Don't come to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics - CNN.com

With all the political turmoil, the outbreak of the zika virus and the polluted conditions where many of the water sports will take place, I have to agree with Rivaldo. I really don't want our Canadian athletes anywhere near this country.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Football, obviously. The national religion of Brazil is football. Even four year olds in Brazil can do 100 keepie uppies without the ball touching the floor. Had Ronaldho, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo been basketball or baseball players then they wouldn't be worshipped in Brazil as living gods.

And you approve of this? Interesting attitude for a soi-disant Christian.

 

[Mowich]

As for the Rio Olympics, I'm looking forward to them. What better city, other than London, to host the Olympics?

I normally look forward to the Olympics too, Blackleaf - no matter the host country - but not this time. I have been very worried about the fate of our athletes in Rio - and not during their events. Seriously, BL aren't you the least bit worried about sending the best of British athleticism to a country in such turmoil and a city with numerous health problems?

I do wonder what the people living in these slums are thinking as they gaze down upon those gleaming towers where the best of the best will be displaying their prowess - knowing that where they sit now is as close as they may ever get to participating in the games.

​

 

[Ludlow]

As for the Rio Olympics, I'm looking forward to them. What better city, other than London, to host the Olympics?

Phoenix?

 

[EagleSmack]

As for the Rio Olympics, I'm looking forward to them. What better city, other than London, to host the Olympics?

Los Angeles would be much better.

 

[Blackleaf]

They don't look like football players. Soccer maybe.

The Brazilians (and Portuguese) call it "futebol" - which derives from the English word "football."

The term for the actuall football itself in Portuguese is "bola de futebol."

Seriously, BL aren't you the least bit worried about sending the best of British athleticism to a country in such turmoil and a city with numerous health problems?

No, not in the slightest. I remember we had all this in the lead up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when people were talking about the huge murder rate there and asking is it wise to send all those footballers down there. People were predicting the tournament would be a boomtime for criminals. Instead, the tournament went off peacefully and was a success.

 

[Blackleaf]

Phoenix?

London is the greatest city in the world and the 2012 London Olympics are the best Olympics so far.

Rio de Janeiro is probably the most beautiful city in the world, with the soapstone statue of Christ the Redeemer standing proudly on Corcovado mountain overlooking the city; Copacabana beach; the mighty bowl of the world famous Maracana football stadium, which once had a 200,000 capacity and where the opening and closing ceremonies of Rio 2016 will take place.

 

[Ludlow]

Too many people. The smells alone are enough to gag a maggot. The fragrance of the desert during monsoon season is lovely . A wonderful place to hold athletic events without the aroma of miliions of flatulent Limeys slinking around.

 

[EagleSmack]

Too many people. The smells alone are enough to gag a maggot. The fragrance of the desert during monsoon season is lovely . A wonderful place to hold athletic events without the aroma of miliions of flatulent Limeys slinking around.

A lotta hate in that post.

London is the greatest city in the world and the 2012 London Olympics are the best Olympics so far.

The US crushed the Eingrish in London. You suck at the Olympics, both playing and hosting.

 

[Frankiedoodle]

I wouldn't want to.send our athletes to Brazil. How we hear the stories about the lack of ticket sales,sounds like the rest of the world agrees. Also that the rowers are in danger of catching a disease from getting a mouthful of crap (from the water) while competing

 

[Mowich]

London is the greatest city in the world and the 2012 London Olympics are the best Olympics so far.

Rio de Janeiro is probably the most beautiful city in the world, with the soapstone statue of Christ the Redeemer standing proudly on Corcovado mountain overlooking the city; Copacabana beach; the mighty bowl of the world famous Maracana football stadium, which once had a 200,000 capacity and where the opening and closing ceremonies of Rio 2016 will take place.

You forgot to mention all the high-end apartments like these. Open your eyes, BL.
​

 

[bill barilko]

How we hear the stories about the lack of ticket sales...

Everything else aside we always hear about lack of ticket sales-then miraculously venues appear full.

FWIW-I know of a group that has travelled to every summer Olympics on a budget since the 80's they never have rooms or tickets booked in advance and they rarely miss anything they're interested in-their success can be attributed to being resourceful and flexible.

 

[Frankiedoodle]

They are giving away tickets. Kind of like how political parties stack events.