IOC leader defends Brazil’s spending on 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games

In the wake of widespread unrest over economic and social issues in Brazil, the head of the International Olympic Committee is defending the billions of dollars the country is spending to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Speaking to reporters during a Wednesday teleconference, IOC President Jacques Rogge insisted that Brazilians will benefit from improvements to their infrastructure.

“We’ll have to explain very clearly to all the public that the investments made for the Olympic Games are for a sustainable legacy for generations to come,” he said.

A rise in bus fares initially sparked the demonstrations in Rio de Janeiro in mid-June. Protests spread across the country and encompassed other issues, including public services, healthcare and government corruption.

It was no surprise that critics also focused on the decision to host sport’s two largest -- and costliest -- international events.

“We must make it clear that, yes, the Games are a force for the good, that they improve the society and this has to be explained, because people don’t know what the investments are,” Rogge said.

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