It's known all over the world that the 2016 Olympics are taking place in Brazil this coming August. And while that remains unchanged, there are growing concerns in regards to the country's political and social aspects.
Brazil is currently facing an increasingly uncertain political backdrop marked by widespread protests, reports CNN Money. These are spurred by various factors including the country's worst recession in 25 years and a huge corruption scandal that involves politicians and executives.
It is reported that millions of Brazilians have taken to the streets, demanding the impeachment of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who on Thursday appointed former president Ignacio Lula da Silva to be her chief of staff.
Prosecutors have accused Lula with identity fraud and money laundering, saying that he covered up his ownership of a vacation home. Lula's appointment as Rousseff's chief of staff means that he will be legally immune to prosecutions on charges of corruption.
Numerous people in position and of influence have been involved in the costly Petrobras scandal, and it is believed that both the current and former Brazilian presidents will be involved in it as well.
The current political atmosphere in Brazil is becoming unhealthy that some are concerned about the turn of events once the Olympic events take place.
"We don't know if we'll have this government or some other government when the Olympics arrive," Alberto Ramos, co-head of Latin America research at Goldman Sachs, told CNN Money.
"The country is getting increasingly socially and politically polarized and that's not good," Ramos added.
Another area of growing concern is that whether Brazil is actually ready for the Olympics when it arrives, reports The Nation. Add to the current political ruckus, Brazil is also facing burdens regarding unfinished Olympic construction projects, and the current Zika virus problem.
The Olympics are drawing close, but still, concerns are merely increasing and not diminishing.
