CBC P.E.I.'s Bruce Rainnie sees beauty, poverty in Rio

CBC P.E.I.'s Bruce Rainnie is in Rio to cover the Olympic Games. He said the games will ultimately be judged on how the athletes are treated and how they perform.

Rainnie describes his accommodations as 'newly built' and 'nearly finished'

Terrence McEachern CBC News Posted: Aug 05, 2016 10:02 AM EDT | Last Updated: August 5, 2016

CBC's Bruce Rainnie said transportation to the broadcast centre has been the biggest challenge so far. (CBC)

After a 10-hour flight from Toronto, CBC News: Compass host Bruce Rainnie arrived in Rio and took a bus from the airport through the city to his accommodation.

On that bus ride, Rainnie saw first-hand Rio'sbeauty but also its "equally unimaginable" poverty.

"Once the sports start, the focus will be there. But there is certainly is an undercurrent here of a country that really, I don't think, could afford or needed these [Games] at this time," Rainnietold CBC Radio's Island Morning host Matt Rainnie onFriday.

These are the seventh Olympics Bruce Rainnie has covered. This time around, he's coveringbasketball, golf, tennis and equestrian show jumping.

CBC News: Compass host Bruce Rainnie said his apartment in Rio is 'newly built' and 'nearly finished.' (Bruce Rainnie/CBC)

Newly built, nearly finished

With a laugh, Rainnie described his two-bedroom apartment-style accommodations as "newly built" and "nearly finished."

He added the accommodations are fine. But there are a "few, little odd things," such as no mirror in the bathroom, which makes shaving difficult.

Another challenge with the accommodations is their location.

Bus ride

To get to the broadcast centre from his residence, Rainnie has to take a 24-kilometre bus ride through traffic. From there, he has another 30-minute bus ride to the basketball venue.

"It's going to be about two to three hours of sitting on a bus a day to get to the venue and then most of the day spent at the venue. So, I think transportation is going to prove to be the biggest challenge so far."

The homework begins. (Bruce Rainnie/CBC)

Security, Zika and pollution

As for the Zika virus, Rainnie said he hasn't seen one mosquito since arriving in Rio.

Pollution, in terms of garbage and sewage, are also evident, he said.

Security "seems pretty good." Rainnie addedthat he will be working in secured areas and that security personnel are "friendly," "focused," and "well-armed."