The media coverage around the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio had little positive to offer apart from the medal celebrations. One week after the end of the Games, the dust has settled a little, this is the right opportunity to reflect on a conclusion. And this does not only provide bitter insights. There is also reason for hope.
Much has been reported in the last few days about the review of the Olympic Games in Rio. The bank is very critical of the summaries. The games were overshadowed by accusations of doping and corruption. Tens of thousands were displaced and resettled - while the International Olympic Committee (IOC), sponsors and construction companies once again made record profits. During the competition weeks alone, 34 people were murdered in Rio, eight of whom were shot by police, and six security officers were killed during operations. Peaceful games look different.
The light in the dark
From our point of view there is an important heritage. The world public has witnessed the unbroken local resistance to the powerful interests of major sporting events. Like the famous Gallic village, the Vila Autodromo and grassroots organisations in Rio did not fight the Romans but the IOC and the city council of Rio. They could not prevent the eviction of their settlement. But rarely have protests against forced evictions in Brazil received so much international attention. Our Children Win campaign enabled representatives of the district organisations to bring the human rights violations in connection with the Olympic Games before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and the IOC in Lausanne. The Children Win press conference in Rio received a broad echo.
Rio is through. What now?
Together with the Sports and Rights Alliance (an alliance between Terre des Hommes, Amnesty International, Football Supporters Europe, Human Rights Watch, the International Trade Union Confederation, Transparency International Germany and UNI Global Union), concrete recommendations were presented to the IOC.
The core issue is to include binding human rights standards in the contracts with the host cities. The dialogue with the IOC has intensified in recent months. Working meetings with the IOC are planned for the near future. The door is open to learn from the mistakes of Rio and to achieve real improvements in the Olympic Committee's approach.
