Hip hip hooray for Rio de Janeiro, the 2016 Summer Olympics hosts. Sure, all of the endemic problems with Chicago (crime, corruption, not enough white people) are only worse down there, but hey, thongs and a giant Jesus cure all ills, right?

(That’s pretty cool, guys, but I don’t see anywhere to play 18 in that thing.)

Tiny thing, though; we are kind of wondering how, exactly, Rio actually got the bid. If it’s because Pele showed up at the IOC’s meeting in Copenhagen, or because Barack Obama went there at all, or because Obama didn’t spend enough time there for the IOC’s needs, whatever. We don’t think, though, that the Games went to Rio on account of its actual ability to host them; golfers, in particular, shouldn’t get too comfy in the Olympic Village, because they’re going to have a long trip in front of them.

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Although things aren’t too cheerful at the White House right now, there’s much banging of percussion instruments and dancing the Samba in other parts of the world over Rio de Janeiro’s choice as host of the 2016 Olympic Games. Exotic beaches. Beautiful women. These guys. It’s gonna be the world’s biggest party, right?

Well, maybe, but I’ve seen enough episodes of “City Of Men” to know that there may be pitfalls to this plan. In a lot of ways, Rio is the worst possible spot for the Olympics. And while their successful bid will go a long way toward revitalizing the city and the entire nation, will six-plus years be enough time to pull it all off? The answer is shrouded in mystery, and a fair amount of pollution. Read more…