Brazil's armed forces get extra funds before Rio Olympics

Brazil's armed forces get extra funds before Rio Olympics

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:48 p.m. ET

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Brazil's interim government announced Tuesday that it is beefing up funding for the military to help it meet security needs for the Olympics that open next month in Rio de Janeiro.

Sports Minister Leonardo Picciani said that despite a budget crunch, the government is granting the armed forces an additional $24 million at the request of the Defense Ministry.

The military will begin patrolling sports venues July 24.

Some 85,000 police and soldiers are to be deployed during the Aug. 5-21 games. That's roughly twice the security contingent that was used at the London Olympics.

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Rio de Janeiro state has slashed budgets across the board, including that of the police.

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