As the Rio Games enter their tenth day, a historian has already chronicled some mishaps organizers might prefer were left out of the archives.
āThis is what they politely call a difficult Olympics. Itās not well organized. I think there was a lot of corruption,ā David Wallechinsky, president of the International Society of Olympic Historians, told Ā鶹“«Ć½ Channel Monday.
Wallechinsky has a good measuring stick for the Olympics ā 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 heās seen armed soldiers within the press sector and not just along the exterior. He said he finds the omnipresence of guards somewhat ācomfortingā after Ryan Lochte and three U.S. swimmers were . Two members of the ahead of the Summer Games.
āThose are disturbing so itās a little unnerving to be going out,ā Wallechinsky said.
Other incidents were more āembarrassingā than anything else for organizers. The diving pool that turned green has after several failed attempts to clean it. While the colour may fade, āthe swampā 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.
āIf there was an actual Zika problem you likely wouldnāt hear about it for a few months,ā Wallechinsky said.
For all the downsides, Wallechinsky said the Games have created a colourful atmosphere with plenty of standout performances.
āThe competitionās been fantastic,ā 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 womenās soccer.
āThis is the one sport the Brazilians want to win.ā
