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Brazil is hoping to show the world it can successfully stage a global sporting mega-event
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Locals in Rio de Janeiro sometimes refer to their city as "a cidade maravilhosa" - "the marvellous city".
With
its forest-clad mountains, famous long beaches and diverse communities
living cheek-by-jowl, there has probably never been a more stunning
backdrop for an Olympic Games.
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Concerns about Rio's extraordinarily high levels of
crime are allayed by the presence of 85,000 soldiers on the streets
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Those who backed its bid for the
2016 Olympics against much more "established" and "stable" venues in the
northern hemisphere say Rio is now a city transformed.
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Supporters of the Games such as Rio de Janeiro's Mayor Eduardo Paes say the city has been transformed
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Regeneration
A
city that had almost been in a state of decay, since it lost its status
as capital of Brazil in 1960, has been reborn and rediscovered its
pride. Cheerleader-in-chief for Rio is its charismatic and controversial mayor, Eduardo Paes.
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New museums such as the Museum of Tomorrow
(pictured) have appeared along with urban light rail and sports venues
in recent years
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I've
met him many times over the last three years and have always been
struck by his ability to defend the sometimes questionable decisions
made in putting on the 2016 Olympic Games.
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Guanabara Bay is a stinking mass of sewage, household rubbish and industrial pollutants
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Mr Paes'
strongest argument is that much of the regeneration in areas like Rio's
old port zone would simply not have happened had it not been for the
impetus of the Olympics.
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The Olympics have provided a clear social dividend, say officials such as Tania Braga (above)
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New museums, urban light rail and sports
venues have appeared in recent years. The odd project has missed the
Olympic deadline but in time-honoured Brazilian fashion, most work is
being finished before Friday's opening ceremony and the arrival of more
than half a million tourists.
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Most sporting venues are complete despite the criticism
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Indeed, in those areas where tourists congregate there is a palpable sense of anticipation that the Games are almost upon us. Concerns
about Rio's extraordinarily high levels of crime are allayed by the
presence of 85,000 soldiers and police on the streets.
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It is open to debate whether ordinary citizens of Rio will benefit from the Games
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The new
metro line linking the hotel zone to the main Olympic Park has just been
inaugurated and, for the duration of the Games, will only be used by
Olympic officials, journalists and those with tickets for the events.
It's been tight but all is just about coming together - at least for the competitors, visitors and the press.