The Summer Olympics are going to be held this year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 5-21 of 2016. But there’s a downside. There have been many cases in Brazil about active viruses of Zika, huge amounts of water pollution, increased crime rates, and energy problems.  Will the olympics in Brazil be safe for our athletes? Will Brazil clear up all problems in time for the games?

Active cases of the Zika virus have been found in Brazil, so spectators are afraid to even travel over there because they want to stay safe at all costs. Global health authorities suspect the mosquito-borne Zika virus has caused a spike in Brazil of microcephaly, a birth defect marked by an abnormally small head.

Not only have there been active cases of the Zika virus over in Brazil, but there have been problems with their water. Brazil is known for their water pollution, so part of Rio’s Olympic bid included a promise to clean up the bay by 80 percent. The state environment secretary, Andre Correa, admitted in January that it would not be possible. So many people believe that this will not happen, for their water contains sewage, garbage, and  plastic. Because of this contaminated water, they can have major health problems. Athletes will be competing in next year’s summer Olympics and will be swimming and boating in the water. Associated Press (AP) tests have shown that it is so contained there high levels of viruses and and bacteria that there is a risk of being violently ill and they won’t be able to compete in the games. Officials have found that it is not safe for people to be in that water, as they can contract many different illnesses like cholera and pass kidney stones.

They are having not only a water crisis to deal with, but an energy problem as well. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the Brazilian government spent $5 billion to subsidize fossil fuels to make up for lost hydroelectric power for the 2014 World Cup and may have to do it again for the Olympics this year.

Another potential hazard would be that Brazil is having a increase in crime rates what happened in March there were seven mass robberies in public spaces. Armed robbers assaulted commuters twice in the metro, and another group of armed criminals closed off a major tunnel and robbed the stopped cars. Rio’s response to this was they would bring in more security for the safety of the people.

Overall, this doesn’t mean that brazil’s most known seaside city, Rio de Janeiro, is a bad city.  It just means that it might not be safe to be having the Olympics in. Though it would be an interesting experience for athletes who have never been to Brazil, if it has these poor conditions, will it be a good or bad one?