Inside Story

Are the Olympics still relevant?

The Olympic Games are under way in Rio with athletes from around the world competing in the biggest sports competition.

It is without a doubt the biggest sporting event in the world, a competition unlike any other where dreams are made or broken in an instant.

This year the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro is hosting the summer Olympic Games.

A first for South America. There are more than 10,000 athletes competing in 306 different events, including a team entirely made up of refugees.

And their fans from the world will be watching and cheering.

But despite Brazil’s colourful and carnival-like atmosphere, there have been controversies.

Are the Games worth all the trouble?

Presenter: Richelle Carey

Guests:

Andrew Zimbalist – Author of ‘Circus Maximus: The Economic Gamble Behind Hosting the Olympics and the World Cup’

Bryan Clift – Lecturer in the Department of Health at the University of Bath

Jeff Ruffolo – Director of Ruffolo Communications and author of the book ‘Inside the Beijing Olympics’