The Hula Report - Long Lines, No Hamburgers on Day 1

(ATR) Let the apologies begin. As the Olympics open in Rio de Janeiro, organizers encounter their first stumbles as 90 minute delays greet Olympic Park spectators Saturday morning. Rio 2016 has issued an apology to those left standing in long lines.

So far that’s the only glitch for spectators, but the media are still facing annoying challenges. More than 1000 media were in line to go through security at the Main Press Center Saturday morning. All week long there have been logjams at the press security screening point at peak times.

Opening days of the Olympics provide the opportunity to figure out solutions to problems like these.

Thieves at Work

Reports of theft within Olympic venues and media accommodations are alarming compared to the experience of previous Olympics. An accredited photographer lost his equipment in Maracana Stadium just before opening ceremony Friday night, supposedly in a secured area. In the Marriott Courtyard Hotel right next to the MPC, an advisor to one of the 2024 Olympic bids lost camera and lenses when someone switched the bag while he wasn’t looking. Media staying in official housing say they lost cash after their room was cleaned in a media village apartment block.

A spokesman for Rio 2016 says only three incidents have been reported.

"They are disappointing and we are working hard with the security forces to make adjustments where necessary to ensure the security within venues," the spokesman says.

We have visited Rio de Janeiro regularly across the past 15 years and have yet to experience any instance of crime, but we are lucky. Remaining vigilant is a must in this Olympic city.

Boxer Arrested

A boxer from Morocco is under arrest, charged with sexual assault against two Brazilian female staff in the Olympic Village. He is alleged to have tried to kiss the women by force after taking their picture.

Media Dining Disaster

In the battle to keep costs under control for Rio 2016, it would appear that food-service options for the press is one of the pressure points. A large marquee outside the MPC is the only spot for press to buy food and eat close to where they work. While it looks big the space and the services appear to be inadequate to avoid long queues for cafeteria style eating. Standing in line can take 20 to 25 minutes before entering the chow line. Same story on the other side of the dining hall where hamburgers are cooked and served. As if the long lines weren’t enough of an insult, ATR heard they ran out of hamburgers Friday.

We’re not sure if the McDonald’s Hamburgler is responsible for that caper. For the first time in memory the MPC runs out of hamburgers before the Olympics even start. Until Rio de Janeiro McDonald’s has opened a store in every MPC. Neither McDonald’s or Rio 2016 has been very forthcoming about why the worldwide sponsor is shut out of the MPC.

Wo ist Thomas?

Today IOC President Thomas Bach travled to the Deodoro venue cluster Saturday. He sat with U.N.Secretary General Ban Ki Moon for field hockey. Then he watched the opening matches of the first rugby tournament at the Olympics since 1936. He was accompanied by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Rio Boldface

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, an avid cyclist despite a crash last year, taking in the Copacabana leg of the cycling road race Saturday morning…

IOC member in Ireland Patrick Hickey and spouse Sylviane had to be on best behavior during opening ceremony Friday night. When the cameras cut away for scenes from the VIP section of Maracana, the Hickeys were always in full view seated directly behind IOC President Thomas Bach…

Rio 2016 says 45 heads of state watched the opening ceremony with all of them taking part in a reception line at the presidential palace in Rio de Janeiro a couple of hours before. The whole thing was broadcast live on the TV channel operated by the Brazilian government. Included in the receiving line were the two IOC members who are heads of state, Prince Albert II of Monaco and the Grand Duke of Liechtenstein. King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands was also there but he’s now an honorary IOC member after ascending to the throne…

IOC honorary member Kip Keino of Kenya is the first recipient of the Olympic Laurel, awarded to the long distance running champion and Olympian during opening ceremony. The award will be given now during every opening ceremony to an individual who makes distinguished contributions in education, culture, development and peace through sport…

Senior IOC member in the U.S. Anita DeFrantz receives the Humanitarian Award from the Foundation for Global Sports Development at a ceremony Saturday. An IOC member since 1986, she is the fourth recipient of the $100,000 prize from the U.S. based foundation.

Meteorological Observations

Sunny and warm. Highs near 30c, lows around 20c. Humidity around 51 percent. May be a little cooler for Monday. No dramatic changes in the long term forecast.

Written in Rio de Janeiro by Ed Hula.

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