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Olympic Athletes Prepare for Pokémon Go Withdrawals in Rio
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
The Pokémon Go mobile game surged in popularity since it debuted in the U.S. on July 6 followed by its launch in Japan on July 22. Players are capturing monsters in 30 countries across the globe.
Unfortunately, Brazil is not one of those countries and Olympic athletes in Rio this month are adding it to the list of disappointments alongside more serious quality concerns.
Athletes like British canoer Joe Clarke and French canoer Matthieu Peche expressed dismay that they can't hunt down Pikachu in the Athletes Village.
No Pokemon in Deodoro Olympic venue! Or in Brazil!?? @NianticLabs @PokemonGoApp @Pokemon #PokemonGO #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/xiRMcqhXfV
— Joe Clarke (@joeclarkek1) July 26, 2016
Désolé les gars pas de #pokemon dans le village Olympique #Rio2016 #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/Pqk6AN1Zf1
— Matthieu PECHE (@MatthieuPECHE) July 25, 2016
The athletes' disappointment didn't fall on deaf ears. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes made a case on Facebook asking Nintendo to bring the game to Brazil. Misunderstandings about Nintendo's involvement in what is actually game company Niantic's release has caused a few problems.
Hello, Nintendo! 23 days to go to the Olympics Rio 2016. The whole world is coming here. Come too!
Niantic hasn't announced plan to launch in Brazil yet. Olympic athletes might have to make due with training themselves instead of a Charmander.
Source: Associated Press via The Guardian