George LewisProgram/Project Manager| DXC Technology CompanyHeredia, Costa Rica
I have seen lots of comments indicating the challenges Brazil have facing hosting the Olympics. Please comment on this if you wish. But....
I have not seen many comments on the POSITIVE aspects of hosting such a great event. In terms of project opportunities and the expectation that it will contribute to the country growth as financial investments will benefit the country once Olympics is over.
Great opportunity for Projects, Project Managers and the country Project Management itself. Saving Changes...
There are lots of legacy, however there some assets not maintained. With all the worry we had before, the result was more positive than we expected.
Aside from the new transport links, Rio does have one other concrete legacy – a renovated port area with a tram service, where a waterfront walkway leads to the new Museum of Tomorrow and a pedestrianised square. This big, safe public space has proved hugely popular with all social classes.
The Project Managers are hit same as the rest of the professionals in a market in recession.
Reassuring to learn that legacy from Olympic are bigger than expected.
At the time it did sound that many infrastructure where not completed, hope they are by now!
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2 replies by Farhad Abdollahyan and Stéphane Parent
Aug 15, 2017 2:11 PM
Stéphane Parent
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Yes, I remember how long it took to pay the Montréal Olympic stadium, along with all of its woes - retractable roof not working, crumbling concrete supports, ...
Aug 16, 2017 4:39 PM
Farhad Abdollahyan
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All the promised infrastructure were delivered, however, there was a fire that damaged the Cycling stadium and there are some issues in transmitting the Olympic Park to an adequate responsible owner. But all the mobility assets are working and alleviating heavy traffic of the city. The Central modern control centre (hi-tech on-line real time monitoring system) helps reduce disaster risks (fire, floods, as well as security issues). overall, Rio has been transformed for a better city.
Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Aug 15, 2017 1:43 PM
Replying to Vincent Guerard
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Reassuring to learn that legacy from Olympic are bigger than expected.
At the time it did sound that many infrastructure where not completed, hope they are by now!
Yes, I remember how long it took to pay the Montréal Olympic stadium, along with all of its woes - retractable roof not working, crumbling concrete supports, ... Saving Changes...
George LewisProgram/Project Manager| DXC Technology CompanyHeredia, Costa Rica
Great comments, keep sharing.... we are trying to understand the aftermath... Saving Changes...
Farhad AbdollahyanManaging Director| Cyrus Associados Apoio em ProjetosSao Paulo, Sp, Brazil
Aug 15, 2017 1:43 PM
Replying to Vincent Guerard
...
Reassuring to learn that legacy from Olympic are bigger than expected.
At the time it did sound that many infrastructure where not completed, hope they are by now!
All the promised infrastructure were delivered, however, there was a fire that damaged the Cycling stadium and there are some issues in transmitting the Olympic Park to an adequate responsible owner. But all the mobility assets are working and alleviating heavy traffic of the city. The Central modern control centre (hi-tech on-line real time monitoring system) helps reduce disaster risks (fire, floods, as well as security issues). overall, Rio has been transformed for a better city. Saving Changes...
Marlon SchmitzIT Analist| BANRISUL S.A.Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
Firstly, let me apologize for the belated posting. I am (still) facing some personal challenges.
Yes, Brazil is facing a lot of challenges in build a entire environment for the 2016 Olympic Games, and we have the muslims extremists putting entire world and the olympic comitees in jeopardy.
There are a lot of projects, in course, starting, finishing, and all of them will let a legacy of infrastructure -- The Olympic Village is almost finished, just some details have to be finished -- and cultural diversity for my country and my people.
Brasil is a young country, which have a young culture, if some one compare these with European countries and cultures. Hence, we (brazilian people) have a lot of work to do and a lot of challenges to overcome, but we will do this. Even the terrorists menaces are being trated as proactively as we can.
I can't say that there will be no problems, but I can promise that all problems will be handled, if not solved.
Once more, thank you very much.
Good lucky in your journey to get more information about 2016 Olympic Games!
PS: Sorry if my english is not so polite or precise, I'm in need to practice much more. Saving Changes...
Hi George,
If you are interested we can discuss it in details, I was the project director for the main contractor - proposal stage for the Rio Olympic.
I was involved in planning from A to Z.
The project included two areas:
1. The permanent infrastructure (the smaller part), using existing (Macarena) or building some new and to be reused after the Olympic such as the Olympic village
2. The Temporary infrastructure ( the biggest portion)
I was project managing the whole temporary part.
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1 reply by George Lewis
Apr 07, 2018 7:12 PM
George Lewis
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Hi Drake - very interesting, congrats for the achievement.
Both huge projects...
Saving Changes...
George LewisProgram/Project Manager| DXC Technology CompanyHeredia, Costa Rica
Mar 18, 2018 12:09 AM
Replying to Kevin Drake
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Hi George,
If you are interested we can discuss it in details, I was the project director for the main contractor - proposal stage for the Rio Olympic.
I was involved in planning from A to Z.
The project included two areas:
1. The permanent infrastructure (the smaller part), using existing (Macarena) or building some new and to be reused after the Olympic such as the Olympic village
2. The Temporary infrastructure ( the biggest portion)
I was project managing the whole temporary part.
Hi Drake - very interesting, congrats for the achievement.
Both huge projects... Saving Changes...
Mario SebokManaging Partner| www.mlpro.com.brSão Paulo, Brazil, Brazil
10 years on from our 2016 PMI Rio thread: Lessons learned + AGI roadmap for better Olympics.
Rio 2016 Legacy (quantitative): US$20B total cost (US$13B Rio share), US$ 2B deficit. Only 15/27 venues reused; tourism +20% long-term but Bay cleanup hit 45% vs 80% goal. Created 70 hotels, 100k+ jobs in recession, ISO 20121 cert, 2.2M tCO₂e saved via low-carbon tech. Net ROI negative short-term vs London 2012 (+urban regen legacy) or Paris 2024 (1.58M tCO₂e footprint, -50% vs Rio/London, cheapest Games in decades).
*SWOT (practical for PMs):* - *S:** PM frameworks reusable (70% IOC repeat pros); infrastructure multiplier (1:5 sports-to-legacy spend). - *W:* Overruns +30-50%; abandoned assets; political crises amplified debt. - *O:* AGI/robots cut costs 20-40% (digital twins for planning, robots for build/ops). - *T:* Climate risks; no positive externalities = TBL failure.
*ROI/TBL Trends:* Past Games averaged 3.5M tCO₂e; sustainability now mandatory for +15-25% economic boost via externalities (jobs, health, tourism). Paris proved: 90% local suppliers, 37% MSME contracts → triple bottom line lift.
*AGI/Robots fix (2028+):* AI digital twins optimize energy/waste (real-time -30% emissions); robots handle 40% construction/venue maint → lower overruns, higher social inclusion.
PMs: embed AGI in charters for measurable People/Planet/Profit (target 2x ROI via data-driven externalities). Let's build legacy that lasts. #PMI #Olympics #AGI #Sustainability Saving Changes...
Mario SebokManaging Partner| www.mlpro.com.brSão Paulo, Brazil, Brazil
Jul 14, 2016 9:52 AM
Replying to Farhad Abdollahyan
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Dear George,
According to literature and best practices, Olympic Games is considered a complex multi-stakeholder programme.
Ever since we applied to host the games I am following its consequences in our PM community as well as Brazilian economy. And more so, now that I am a volunteer for the games as International Olympics Family Assistant. I will serve probably the head of Iranian delegation based on my background.
On the positive upside effects, the games are responsible for lower unemployment rates as well as lower impact of the recession. The infrastructure legacy is huge and the benefits started to be realized by the population as the mobility assets and some stadia became available. Rio has been entirely transformed and the legacy will last for decades.
On the downside, the political and economic crises have reduced a part of the glamour and pride of hosting the games. Zica out burst and persistent criminality rates are a concern. The authorities did not solve the environmental issues.
but, overall I am confident that The Games will be a success, and already we have lots of project and risk management related lessons learned.
**10 years on: Rio vs Paris legacies + sustainable Games prospects for PMs/organizers.**
**Paris 2024:** ~$12B (cheapest in decades), 1.58M tCO₂e (-56% vs Rio/London avg), 90%+ existing venues, 90% local suppliers. Stronger TBL: lower emissions, better reuse, +economic multiplier.
**SWOT for future (LA28/Brisbane32):** - **S:** Radical reuse (LA: 90% materials recycled, no new venues); robots/AGI cut costs 20-40%. - **W:** Past overruns 30-50%; Rio-style abandonment risk. - **O:** AGI digital twins optimize real-time (-30% emissions/ops); Brisbane net-zero/circular + robots for build/maint. - **T:** Climate risks without sustainability.
**ROI/TBL trends:** Sustainable Games = +15-25% econ boost via externalities (jobs, health, tourism). LA28: 75% local/25% small biz spend, $160M youth sports. Brisbane: first robotaxi/net-zero → triple bottom line x2 via positive externalities.
**PM/sport organizer opps:** Embed AGI in charters for measurable People/Planet/Profit. Scale reusable frameworks (70% IOC repeat). Build legacy that pays: sustainable = profitable. #PMI #Olympics #Sustainability #AGI Saving Changes...
