THE ROAD TO 10 STORYLINES TO WATCH
Rio 2016 will have plenty of storylines and talking points over the next few weeks, starting with the Olympics’ opening ceremonies on Friday. The Post’s Brian Lewis looks at the 10 biggest, and from the threat of the Zika virus to the host country’s lack of preparedness, Rio itself is unquestionably No. 1:
1. RIO CONCERNS
Because the Zika virus is such an issue, many called for the Olympics to be postponed. A host of athletes have refused to go — including the world’s top four golfers, led by Jason Day — and some who went lampooned the situation on social media, like U.S. women’s soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo.
If the virus isn’t enough of an issue, what about Rio’s sketchy preparation? Some of the venues are incomplete, the infrastructure is crumbling and the athletes’ village has been termed “uninhabitable.” And that’s just the minor stuff.
A dozen suspected terrorists were arrested by Brazilian authorities, with police and firefighters (who have gone unpaid) staging a recent protest at the airport, holding a “Welcome to hell” sign and warning visitors they won’t be safe. In a city with drug trafficking woes and an average of 42,000 annually killed by guns, it doesn’t engender confidence. The only thing missing were signs that read “Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here.”
Dismembered body parts have washed up on beaches, with the water containing raw human sewage (think Shawshank Redemption, folks) and harmful bacteria. The site of the rowing (Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon) had 1.73 billion adenoviruses per liter last year, 1.7 million times what would be deemed hazardous in the United States. It was reportedly at 248 million in June, while the site of the sailing (Rio’s Gloria Marina) measured over 37 million. Experts have claimed ingesting just three teaspoons would almost certainly infect somebody. Their advice? Telling athletes to keep their mouths shut.
2. RUSSIAN DOPING VIOLATIONS
When history looks back on the Rio Olympics, the focus won’t be on Zika or the crumbling Olympic village. It recalls 1980 for the U.S. boycott, 1984 for the Soviet Union doing the same, and now it will remember a watered-down Rio with more than 100 Russians missing thanks to Russia’s damn-the-torpedoes attitude and the country’s rampant doping violations.
The IAAF banned the entire Russian track team — except for one athlete — for drug use, and after vociferous Russian appeals to the CAS, last month the IOC gave each sports’ respective federation the autonomy to bar Russian athletes as they saw fit. However, the Russian Olympics Committee announced Thursday that 271 of the 387 athletes had been cleared to compete.
3. LIGHTNING BOLT
The Flash is real. Arguably the biggest star in Rio, Usain Bolt (left) is the fastest man in history and the unquestioned must-see athlete in the Olympics’ featured sport. The lanky Jamaican legend is attempting to become the first man to sweep the 100, 200 and 4x100 for a third straight Olympics. Nobody — not Carl Lewis nor Jesse Owens — has managed that. Whether Bolt can overcome history, a balky hamstring and Brooklyn-born Justin Gatlin may be the Olympics’ biggest on-field storyline. Bolt runs Aug. 13, 16 and 18.
4. QUEEN ‘B’
Teenager Simone Biles is just 4-foot-9 but could become Rio’s biggest name. The three-time world all-around gymnastics champ opens her first Olympics on Sunday. She has a shot at five gold medals, which would make her an overnight sensation.
5. HOME COOKIN’
Barcelona star Neymar (below) may be under as much pressure as any athlete in Rio. Soccer is religion in Brazil, which has won a record five World Cups. But after the Seleção’s humiliating record 7-1 loss in the World Cup semis two years ago — their first home loss in a competitive match since 1975 — their young captain skipped their disappointing Copa America campaign in order to lead them to glory in Rio.
6. THE REFUGEE TEAM
A team comprised entirely of refugees will compete for the first time in the history of the games, all playing under the Olympic flag. Some escaped kidnappings, others fled wars, others avoided being made child soldiers. With stories like Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini (above) — who jumped out of a dinghy taking on water in the Mediterranean, pushing to save the lives of 20 other refugees — they will be the final team to take the track in Friday’s opening ceremonies.
7. USA BASKETBALL
Coach Mike Krzyzewski doesn’t have LeBron James or Steph Curry, Anthony Davis or Blake Griffin, with many of the NBA’s top stars begging out. But he does have Carmelo Anthony (right), Kevin Durant and a luxury yacht to stay on instead of the crumbling Olympic Village.
Can Team USA bring gold back to the Silver Cloud Cruise Ship (where suites run $13,000/week), or will they be upset again like in 2004? The women’s team will be led by Elena Delle Donne, who made headlines announcing she is gay in the current issue of Vogue.
8. WORLD’S GREATEST ATHLETE
That title usually goes to the champion in the decathlon, the 10-discipline event that made Mount Kisco’s Bruce Jenner a household name long before he became Caitlyn. The prohibitive favorite is world record-holder Ashton Eaton (above), who will attempt to become the first man to defend his gold medal since 1984.
9. THE RETURN OF THE KING
Swimmer Michael Phelps (bottom left), who will swim in three events, is already the most decorated Olympian ever, with a record 18 gold medals. Then he retired, went through drug rehab and made a triumphant return to the sport he has ruled. Phelps will be the flag bearer for the U.S.
10. SERENA
So big a star, one name will do, like a Brazilian soccer player. Williams (below) already claimed her 22nd Grand Slam victory in June at Wimbledon. But now she’ll go for Olympic gold in both singles and doubles, partnering with older sister Venus.