As the Rio Games enter their tenth day, a historian has already chronicled some mishaps organizers might prefer were left out of the archives.
鈥淭his is what they politely call a difficult Olympics. It鈥檚 not well organized. I think there was a lot of corruption,鈥� David Wallechinsky, president of the International Society of Olympic Historians, told 麻豆传媒 Channel Monday.
Wallechinsky has a good measuring stick for the Olympics 鈥� he went to his first Olympics in 1960 and has worked as a commentator at every summer and winter games since 1988.
One notable difference at the Rio games has been the level of security. Wallechinsky said this is the first time he鈥檚 seen armed soldiers within the press sector and not just along the exterior. He said he finds the omnipresence of guards somewhat 鈥渃omforting鈥� after Ryan Lochte and three U.S. swimmers were . Two members of the ahead of the Summer Games.
鈥淭hose are disturbing so it鈥檚 a little unnerving to be going out,鈥� Wallechinsky said.
Other incidents were more 鈥渆mbarrassing鈥� than anything else for organizers. The diving pool that turned green has after several failed attempts to clean it. While the colour may fade, 鈥渢he swamp鈥� nickname will surely endure.
Ahead of the Games, Zika nearly overshadowed the Olympics with stories ranging from to . Now, Zika has all but disappeared from the headlines.
鈥淚f there was an actual Zika problem you likely wouldn鈥檛 hear about it for a few months,鈥� Wallechinsky said.
For all the downsides, Wallechinsky said the Games have created a colourful atmosphere with plenty of standout performances.
鈥淭he competition鈥檚 been fantastic,鈥� he said. One highlight for Wallechinskywas watching in the 100-metre last night as tens of thousands of people chanted his name.
The best is yet to come as team sports will head into the finals, Wallechinsky said. He said basketball will be as well as men and women鈥檚 soccer.
鈥淭his is the one sport the Brazilians want to win.鈥�
