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

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.

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."

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."

Women's basketball

Despite the challenges, Rainnie noted the Games will ultimately be judged on athletic performances and how the athletes were treated.

"And we really start to find that out after the opening ceremony tonight."

Rainnie said he'll be on the air Saturday for a women's basketball match between Canada and China.

He said the Canadian women's basketball team has a "legitimate shot" to finish among the top three teams.

He's also excited to see how Canadian women's golferBrooke Hendersonperforms.

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