It's been just 7 months since the Rio Olympics

Mar 24, 2017 2:28 PM

Seven months after Rio de Janeiro hosted the first Olympic Games in South America, many of the expensive venue sites remain abandoned.

Getty Images photojournalist Mario Tama recently captured images of the decaying structures that were promised by organizers to be a legacy benefit to the citizens of Brazil.

The country remains in a deep economic and political crisis following the games. Critics believe the money spent on the games could have been better spent on developing infrastructure in the country.

The Olympic Golf Course stands partially degraded.

The Olympic Golf Course, top, sits partially degraded next to vacant lots.

A withered tree stands in the Olympic Park.

The remains of the practice pool in front of the Olympic Aquatics Stadium at the Olympic Park on March 18, 2017, in Rio de Janeiro.

Steps remain in the mostly abandoned Olympic Park.

Dogs walk in the Olympic Park.

A partially constructed helipad stands near the Olympic Golf Course.

The Olympic Park stands on March 17, 2017.

Remains of tennis facilities stand in Olympic Park.

Chess tables stand in Olympic Park.

An aerial view of the Olympic BMX track.

A man cycles past the abandoned athletes village.

Weeds grow in front of the Olympic Aquatics Stadium.

Source: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Nothing makes sense anymore

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This makes me sad

9 years ago | Likes 49 Dislikes 0

Looks like a post-apocalyptic world.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

What a terrible waste....

9 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

Entropy is a harsh mistress.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Olympics are such a waste of money. Ffs at least turn the athletes village into affordable housing. So infuriating.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

They actually ripped down a lot of housing to build this shot hole. It was why they were warning tourists not to attend. Disgusting.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

waste of money and resources

9 years ago | Likes 45 Dislikes 0

Why are they not turning the athletes village into affordable housing?

9 years ago | Likes 30 Dislikes 0

Because that would benefit the citizens and we can't have that

9 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

Because there is no money to maintain it.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

And this is why no one should have attended Rio for the games. The money spent on this waste could have been used to care for their people.

9 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 1

Did people really think that what happens to all Olympic related buildings wouldn't happen here too? Are we that naïve?

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

Atlanta did alright

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yeah, most countries actually end up using the facilities they build or the facilities were just already there and in use

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

In finland all the buildings are still in use

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

London's venues remain in use. This happens to a lot of Olympic cities, but not all. There ARE ways of doing it right.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Only in developed countries. Where the investment can be sustained.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

It's unfortunate that only developed countries can sustain the facilities and the under developed locations get a one time boon.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Not even much of a boon. They evict and level whole villages to build these things.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

They really should just have it in Athens every year.

9 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

I know this will be downvoted, but why do it at all? It consumes money and resources and gives almost nothing back but abandoned buildings.

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 2

I was reading they're trying to fix it, LA are bidding for it again, As they're one of the only place that actually made money.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

So Melbourne didnt make money ??? XD to this day all the facilities are still in use

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0