REFLECTIONS
AN OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE
Teresita Bacani-Oropilla , MD
Dr . O , family and friends at 2016 Olympic games .
14 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
Rio de Janeiro , where the Portuguese landed in 1505 , is set in Guanabara Bay , South America . With spectacular beaches along the coast , and hills and mountains as a backdrop , it was selected as the site of the 2016 World Olympics . Now a city of contrasts , it offers a mix of the old and the new .
Parks , gardens , a palace where royalty once dwelt , and a cathedral where two kings of Portugal ( Pedro I and Pedro II ) were crowned ; these are ringed by a restored European neighborhood that merges into a city of modern high rises with gleaming manmade swimming pools and amenities for the locals and visitors . The latter frolic on the beaches , amid vendors displaying colorful scarves , jewelry , snacks and coconut water to quench their thirst . In the meantime , cars , taxis and trains ferry people to their destinations of work or play through modern tunnels and bridges where the routes take one to see the colorful favelas clinging to the mountainsides . Here millions of the poor and less advantaged dwell , packed together , living and working out of their enclaves , wending their way to their homes by foot or motorcycles .
Rio , like any historical place , has museums , myriad places of interest , and views galore . High on the granite Corcovado ( hunchback ) mountain and presiding over all of Rio is the 7 th Wonder of
the Modern World , an iconic 98 feet tall , lighted soapstone statue of Cristo Redentor ( Christ the Redeemer ). His hands are extended in perpetual blessing and protection over the city , in the bright sunshine or even when the clouds form a shroud around Him . Visited by millions , it can be reached by train , passing thru a rain forest and ending in a cable car ride with views the whole of Rio from that vantage point and landing at the foot of the statue . Copacabana and Ipanema , made popular in songs , can be seen clearly in the distance . Once the playground of royalty , the rich and the famous , these beaches are now available to non-blue blooded tourists .
To the uninitiated , “ village ” conjures images of exaggeratedly huge wigwams with air conditioned quarters for athletes . Surprise , surprise ! The Olympic Village for athletes was a giant cluster of 14-story high rises along flag-draped paved avenues . Countries were identified by huge drapes on their buildings . Buildings for safe food and exercise , shops for everything , photo processing , fountains , and places to linger and people-watch were available to the athletes and their special guests . Athletes have to be kept in good shape !
For families and guests , hotels and efficiency apartments were available . Water purifiers were provided as were water heaters . Restaurants were plentiful . Uber rides were safe , and many extra security personnel were visible where the athletic venues were lo-
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