BRAZIL'S NEXT!! CAN WE COPE?

Hello, dearest students!

Here we are again to propose your live participation in this discussion.

The article BRAZIL'S NEXT was extracted from MIGALHAS International Newsletter of July 12th, 2010. It'll be really nice to have your opinion on this issue which will affect us all on the way to 2014 World Cup.

I've highlighted in red the parts which I believe will generate discussion. However, feel free to:

1. 
   
    bring up other issues which you believe will generate more controversy.
2. 
   
    give other source of information (video, jokes, articles, etc.) to build up more critical thinking.
3. 
   
   As a Brazilian, give your suggestion on possible solutions to help solve these problems.

I've also found a CNN video on the issue. Watch it either to complement the article or to spice up the discussion:

Let's practice English by expressing your thoughts in writing!!

Hope to see your posts here.

Flávia

BRAZIL'S NEXT

In four years, it will be Brazil's turn to play host of the World Cup. Just as there were doubts about South Africa's capabilities before the World Cup kicked off on 11 June, there are genuine concerns that Brazil will not be up to the task in 2014. It has unsafe roads, congested airports, overpopulated cities, old and outdated stadiums, high crime rates and a questionable record in government transparency. But if there is one lesson Brazilians have learned from South Africa, it is that all of these problems can be managed or overcome. Not since Mexico 1986 has a developing country hosted an event of such magnitude, but South Africa seems to have passed the test in 2010. Its airports are now world class, most of the stadiums are comparable to the best in Europe, there were enough hotels for everyone and there were few accidents caused by poor roads. Above all, security, such a hot topic of debate, has not been an issue, apart from a few minor incidents. If there was one question mark over the 2010 World Cup, it was its ability to deal with huge amounts of traffic. On match days, public transport did not cope with demand.

So how is Brazil, who staged the tournament back in 1950 and will also host the Olympics in 2016, shaping up in comparison? Well, much work needs still to be done for 2014 and some of it is behind schedule.The time for dallying (wast time; flirt) is over. Some deadlines are approaching and Brazilians need to be fast in their decisions. Bureaucracy has to be facilitated and it cannot be an obstacle. The most pressing issue facing Brazil is the need to build and refurbish stadiums, not to mention airports, in the 12 hosting cities.

Eight venues need renovating while four new ones must be built. At present, the 2014 organising committee is still analysing the financial plans of each project before giving the final go-ahead. Add to the fact that Fifa has not approved the financial guarantees for the refurbishing of iconic Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo and the problems begin to mount up. As it stands, Brazil's largest and best prepared city does not have a stadium to host games.



Another great concern is air travel. As it stands, Brazil does not have enough flights to meet demand, even in normal periods. Back in 2006, Brazil faced a similar crisis to the one experienced by Europe this year, when the Icelandic volcano ash cloud had a major impact on air traffic. Only in Brazil, there were no natural causes to blame - just a lack of infrastructure. To combat potential travel issues, the 2014 organising committee has begun drawing up plans to split Brazil into four major regions, concentrating teams from each group within those areas. This will prevent fans from having to journey long distances, such as from Manaus to Porto Alegre, and would also simplify air traffic control.This is an example of how bureaucracy threatens to stall progress. Fifa and the organizing committee are unsatisfied with the proposal put forward by Sao Paulo FC, owners of Morumbi Stadium, for refurbishing the ground. But neither the federal nor the Sao Paulo state governments are willing to put up any money for the work. The stand-off is due to be discussed later this month and there is no Plan B so far.