Rio official: Olympic Games could be a 'big failure'

Rio de Janeiro's acting governor, Francisco Dornelles, is beginning to worry about the upcoming Olympic Games. With just six weeks to go until the opening ceremony, Dornelles told Brazilian newspaper O Globo that the state is still waiting on $860 million in funding from the federal government for additional security and transportation for the Games.

While the funding was allocated last week, Dornelles said that if it doesn't arrive soon, "police patrols may grind to a halt by the end of the week, for lack of gas money," The Associated Press reports. "I've said that without security and without the metro there will be difficulties," Dornelles said.

Those difficulties would be atop the plethora of others Rio has already encountered. Organizers are facing widespread concerns about the Zika virus and crime. Just last week, the lab responsible for handling drug testing for the Games was suspended by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Brazil is also in the midst of political turmoil, with its president suspended and an impeachment battle ongoing.

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"I am optimistic about the games, but I have to show the reality," Dornelles said. "We can make a great Olympics, but if some steps are not taken, it can be a big failure."