Praise for Rio 2016
“A truly harrowing account of the enormous public and emotional toll of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio. Andrew Zimbalist and the other contributors to this volume provide an eye-opening tale of how the Games were sold and packaged as a showcase and economic catalyst and ended up being a billion-dollar boondoggle, taking a huge toll on the city and its neighborhoods.”
―Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class and The New Urban Crisis
“Andy Zimbalist is the smartest mind I know when it comes to seeing through all the ballyhoo of big-time sports and telling us what adds up and what doesn’t.” —Scott Simon, host of NPR’s Weekend Edition“
At their best, the Olympic Games are glorious, exciting, and memorable, and a source of pride for the host city. But, that is only part of the story. An important and less glorious Olympic reality can be found in these pages.”
―Bob Costas, broadcaster for NBC and MLB Network
“Rio 2016, a collection of deeply reported essays, brilliantly explores the contradictions inherent in hosting mega-sporting events. It should be required reading for government and corporate leaders as well as for community activists.”
―Ambassador Derek Shearer, Chevalier Professor of Diplomacy and Director, McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Occidental College