100 days to go, Brazil faces Olympic heat

Stunning scenery and traditional Brazilian warmth mean the 10,500 athletes from 206 countries and 450,000 tourists should have a spectacular time. Officials say the stadiums are 98 percent ready and International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach has promised “an excellent Games.”

But the first Olympics ever staged in South America is threatened by an almighty hangover before it even gets under way. The revelation by officials Monday that 11 people have died on Olympic construction sites -- compared to eight across all Brazil for the 2014 World Cup -- cast a grim shadow. 

Then there is the major turmoil on the political stage where President Dilma Rousseff faces impeachment. Usually, Rousseff would be the one in Rio’s Maracana stadium announcing the Games open on August 5. 

However, with impeachment proceedings -- that she claims are a coup d’etat -- about to start, Rousseff is likely to be replaced by her vice president, Michel Temer. Unemployment has also shot up to 10.2 percent and rating agencies have downgraded the country’s credit status to junk.