Aussies are hoppin' mad after Rio mayor's kangaroo comment

When you’re hosting a guest in your home, malfunctioning appliances can be an embarrassing ordeal. But when that guest points out that, hey, you should probably fix it, being condescending may not be the best response.

Because of a litany of problems at their future Olympic Village building, the Australian National Team has decided to house their athletes in other accommodations. Eduardo Paes, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, wanted to show that the city was making its best efforts, but may have missed the mark on his delivery.

“We want them to feel at home here,” Paes said. “I almost feel like putting a kangaroo to jump up and down in front of their building.”

Nailed it.

To the surprise of no one, the Aussies weren’t too happy with Rio’s latest offer. Australian committee spokesman Mike Tancred responded to Paes’ offer through a Brazilian newspaper.

“We do not need kangaroos, we need plumbers to account for the many puddles found in the apartments,” Tancred said.

Maybe Paes should bring in a box jellyfish to investigate that as well.

Paes later backtracked on his statement today, explaining that the Australian delegation was “very correct” in their assessment of the building. After visiting the building himself, he said the Aussies building was the worst in the village, and decided to intervene.

Rio has been dealing with a number of problems, ranging from super bacteria to crimes against Olympic athletes. The mayor adding to that with an at-best lame, at-worst insulting statement doesn’t help.

Reports of Brazil’s failing infrastructure have been consistently bad in the final stages leading up to the opening ceremony. Not only is the Olympic Village as a whole incomplete, but some competitive venues in Rio have yet to be finished with about a week left until the Olympics officially begin.

But before the torch is lit, a bald eagle will be needed at the Americans’ building in the Olympic Village. The United States needs to feel at home, too.