Cathal BarryAn Irish missionary priest working in Brazil has warned that the cost of the Olympic Games being held there during the summer will “increase social problems for many years to come”.
Spiritan Fr George Boran told The Irish Catholic that there is “a lot of anger” among locals with regard to the “huge investment needed” to complete infrastructural work ahead of the Olympics’ starting date in August.
“The cost of the Olympics is very high at a time when the economy is in crisis and there is not enough money to pay teachers and health services. Many of the hospitals and health services that attend poor people are entering a state of collapse. There is a lot of anger.
“While a large part of the infrastructure has already been built for previous world events, there is still huge investment needed. Some of the infrastructure to be completed needs large injections of funding from the federal government which is going through an economic crisis,” he said.
Fr Boran, who is originally from Kilkenny, said that while there is a “temptation” on the part of the Government to “hide the poverty” in Rio de Janeiro by moving people out of favelas to other parts of city, this was “impossible”.
Shanty towns
“The shanty towns are huge and can be seen from a distance spread over the surrounding hills,” he said.
Despite the anger, however, Fr Boran insisted the Brazilian people would be welcoming hosts.
Fr Boran noted that the Olympic Games “is expected to build up Brazil’s tourist industry, the cost will increase social problems for many years to come”.
“However, a key cultural aspect of the Brazilian people is their cordiality.
“Although the Olympics will take place in a very divided country, outsiders are going to be welcomed with open arms by the Brazilian people in a spirit of joy,” he said.