This evening kicks off the Opening Ceremonies for the XXXI Rio Olympics in Brazil. For the athletes its been a long road of competitions, injuries, tears, and triumph.

For Brazil its been nothing but headaches, problems, and financial disaster. Borrowing from one of my favorite actors…

Here’s my take on the Bad, the Ugly, and the Amazing that surround the Rio Olympics.

The Bad: When Brazil, in 2009, was awarded the chance to host the 2016  Olympics the economy was booming. Not anymore. The country is experiencing the worst recession its faced since the 1930’s. Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff was suspended and no longer has a role in government. That’s not the worst of it. In June, this announcement hit the wires:

Rio de Janeiro’s governor declared a state of financial emergency Friday and requested federal funds to help fulfill obligations for public services during the Olympics that start Aug. 5.

Emergency measures are needed to avoid “a total collapse in public security, health, education, transport and environmental management,” a decree in the state’s Official Gazette said.

Wow. Really WOW. Are there any other Olympics in history that faced this kind of financial crisis? Yeah, no. Reassurances were sent around the world telling coaches, athletes, and visitors alike that all would be set in time for the start of the Olympics. Yay?

Not just any tangle of rusted metal–it's the beach volley ball arena (…still being built) #RioProblems pic.twitter.com/jNFMN7rgXd

— Nico Hines (@NicoHines) August 4, 2016

Oh dear, that’s really not good. How about the athletes village? That’s finished right? Ummm. NO. The Australian team’s accommodations included wires shorting and hanging from ceilings, water running down the walls, and a strong smell of gas in many areas. Understandably they and other teams are now residing in area hotels.

How about the doping issues?

Olympics already off to a strong start with one third of Russian athletes banned for doping. #Olympics2016 #RioProblems

— John Waltz (@johnwaltz) August 4, 2016

Then there are the very real concerns about the Zika virus which led 150 athletes to back out of the Olympics altogether. They include pro golfers Rory McIlroy and Jason Day.

pic.twitter.com/UNmThs64re

— Jason Day (@JDayGolf) June 28, 2016

Basketball stars Stephen Curry and LeBron James dropped out, as did cyclist Tejay van Gardener. Other athletes are being extra cautious, some will bring mosquito proof clothing, and others don’t plan any outside activities.

Then there’s THIS gem.

According to media reports, Rio officials lost the keys to Olympic Stadium yesterday. This left organizers unable to access the mixed area of the venue.

The Onion right? Noooo, its definitely true!

What a start! #Rio2016 kicking off with lost key and firemen forcing open lock to east gate of Olympic stadium #oops pic.twitter.com/7yj0moF9Ms

— Julia Carneiro (@juliadcarneiro) August 3, 2016

The Ugly: The water and sewage issues are, quite frankly, vomit inducing. Its not only that people are being warned to not drink the water, ensure it doesn’t get into their mouths while showering or brushing their teeth (kind a hard to do when bathrooms aren’t completed),

In today's edition of #RioProblems, the Jamaican team's room in Olympic Village is a disaster.
(via @JamaicaGleaner)pic.twitter.com/WwyNqAu1GL

— 120 Sports (@120Sports) August 4, 2016

its the fact that the athletes who will compete in the aquatic sports could face garbage like this.

Its the fact that they are being told to not open their mouths while swimming because of high levels of bacteria. You know, I wouldn’t either!

The sewage problems aren’t confined to the beaches, thus if I was Missy Franklin for example, I wouldn’t be opening my mouth even in the INDOOR pools!

Oh but that’s not all of the Ugly. How about the crime?

#Rio2016 #Olympics

Armed robber killed by Russian 'diplomat' near Olympic Village: https://t.co/yUOqw58Jfo #TravelSafety #RioProblems

— NOMAD SOS (@NomadSOS) August 4, 2016

That was just yesterday folks.

The Amazing: Will we see gymnastic feats such as we’ve seen from Gabby Douglas, Mary Lou Retton, and Nadia Comaneci?

What about Missy Franklin?

She is so fun to watch!!

How about the hidden underdogs that we won’t know about until they burst on the scene and just grab us by the throat with pride? You know, like the 1980 Olympic hockey team (yes I know that was winter) but still.

Or the tears and triumph of Kerri Strug winning in spite of major injuries?

Or this heart wrenchingly inspirational effort by Britain’s Derek Redmond in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics?

The Rio Olympics is riddled with problems. But we mustn’t forget the athletes who will be competing for their teams, their country, and striving to be the one standing on that platform at the end of the day while their national anthem plays.

“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”