(ATR) Two weeks after being named host of the 2016 Olympics, thousands of extra police are on patrol in Rio de Janeiro after 16 people were killed in gang-related violence this weekend.
The surge of violence comes just ten days before a team from the IOC is scheduled to hold meetings with their counterparts in Rio de Janeiro.
The surge of violence erupted in a favela in the north of the city, close to Maracana Stadium, site of opening and closing ceremonies for Rio 2016, as well as the venue for the final match of World Cup 2014.
Gunfire is believed to have led to all the deaths, including two police officers who were shot down in their helicopter, the blazing aftermath carried on national TV.
Federal Minister of Sport Orlando Silva acknowledged the attention the violence is receiving as the result of Rio de Janeiro’s status as an Olympic city. But he says the most important issue is safety for Brazilians, not the image of the country.
“Our concern has to be first with the people in Brazil,” he told reporters while attending the Formula 1 race near Sao Paolo.
“Our concern is not with the impact and not with the event, but to protect our population,” he said, insisting that the image of Brazil will get better.
The job of fighting the gang violence falls to Rio de Janeiro state governor Sergio Cabral, as well as the chief of the Rio Civil Police, Alan Turnowski.
While the reputation of Rio de Janeiro for crime was cited in an IOC report on the city’s Olympic bid, the report also noted the positive impact from new policing strategies.
The troubles over the weekend may serve to heighten concerns for public safety in Rio in the same way London suffered only hours after being named the 2012 Olympic host four years ago. A series of bombings on public transit killed 52 people.
Rio de Janeiro leaders have pointed out that so far, the country has not been the target of a terrorist attack.
Further reaction to the violence in Rio is expected on Monday when Rio De Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes speaks at the Global Sports Industry Congress in London.
Written by
Ed Hula
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