Olympics: Rio almost ready

Faster, Higher, Stronger is the Olympic motto for athletes, but it could easily be used for the workers in Rio, who rushed to get the finishing touches done before the masses descend upon the city for the world’s biggest multi-sport event.

Half a million people are expected over the next three weeks for the first Olympics in South America.

But a financial downturn, a mosquito-borne virus, a high crime rate and delays in infrastructure have marred the build up to the Games that start on Friday.

Construction of the Olympic park was delayed, the athletes’ village has barely been completed, while on Saturday parts of the main ramp to the sailing venue collapsed in strong winds.

Most Olympic host cities have issues but Rio might just have taken the gold medal in terms of troubled build ups.