In 2016, the summer Olympics will make their first ever stop on the South American continent when Rio de Janeiro becomes the host city. As with cities of games past, the spotlight will begin to shine on the areas where the hosts are not doing enough to manage the games ethically. The pollution blanketing Beijing before and during the 2008 games, and the costly mishandling of ‘Canada’s worst slum’ in Vancouver’s downtown east side in the lead up to next year’s winter Olympics are two recent examples.
Dona Marta, where this YouTube video was shot, is one of many favelas in Rio de Janeiro. A favela is essentially a slum or shanty town, and like many other cities in Brazil, and throughout the world, Rio has an increasingly large percentage of their population living in these impromptu, clustered neighbourhoods.
This photo was taken by exfordy from Corcovado Hill, presumably while standing next to Christ the Redeemer statue as He gazes down at Dona Marta and central Rio beyond it
Some of the common problems found in many slums around the world are overcrowding, lack sanitation, limited water and electricity, crime, and drugs. This is a problem that isn’t improving. The UN Habitat Agencies 2009 Global Report on Human Settlements states that over half of the world’s population now live in an urban setting, with one billion of them living in slums.
Though one could argue that a common thread between many of the world’s slums seems to be the strength of its people. These communities contribute a great deal to defining the culture of a city as a whole. At least one resident living next to Favela Dona Marta, has taken the time to write his praises of this neighbourhood. And Projects like this Judo and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu sports academy in Dona Marta add to the quality of life for the children of the favela – perhaps propelling some of them on to future Olympic appearances.
The urban downhill video has been viewed more than 660,000 times since being posted in October by event organizer Redbull. As a geared-up and sponsor-clad downhill mountain bike racer rips through narrow corridors, rolls across a church roof and drops into the Dona Marta alleyway below, one might ask, is this exploitation of an impoverished neighbourhood?
Perhaps it is, but as the bike racer, Gee Atherton, states in an interview on Redbull’s website…
The crowds were awesome and were so excitable – it was a real party atmosphere…I was nervous coming into this. I’d heard a lot about the favela, but once we walked the course and saw how friendly everyone was and how pleased they were, I changed my mind.
His experience in the favelas changed his perception of the place. So how will the favelas be dealt with in the lead up to the Olympics? Urban downhill is definitely no Olympic sport, and venues for the Olympic events most certainly won’t involve Favela Dona Marta, but how will these troubled, yet vibrant places be included or marginalized?
