Half of Brazilians oppose the Olympic games that are set to begin in Rio de Janeiro in less than three weeks, according to a new poll.
Brazil’s Datafolha Polling Institute published the poll in Tuesday’s edition of the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper. Forty percent of Brazilians said they are in support of the games, while the remaining 10 percent said they are indifferent or declined to answer.
Tuesday’s numbers represent a 25 percent jump in those who oppose the games compared to Datafolha’s last poll, conducted in June 2013.
The institute also found that 63 percent of the 2,792 Brazilians surveyed think the games will bring more harm than good.
Brazil’s Olympic bid comes at a time of economic and political turmoil for Brazil, as the country is facing a major recession and the impeachment of its president.
Concerns about the Zika virus, water conditions, transportation and safety have dominated the discussion surrounding the games.
Earlier this summer, those arriving at Rio’s main airport were welcomed with a bannerreading “Welcome to Hell,” held by first responders who were protesting unpaid wages. “Police and firefighters don’t get paid, whoever comes to Rio will not be safe,” the banner continued.
Another message written on a bridge near the airport read, “Welcome, we don’t have hospitals!”
Opening ceremonies for the Rio Olympics are set for Aug. 5.
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