We are approaching the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janiero.
Global sporting events raise important business & human rights issues.
Mega sporting events involve contracting and procurement on a vast scale, along with financing, insuring and other commercial dimensions to preparing and hosting the games.
Global organisations such as the IOC (Olympics) and FIFA (football) wield considerable potential power of a positive sort in terms of how their procurement and contracting (etc.,) activities could incentivise supplier and service-provider conduct that is objectively pro-social, or at least basically human rights compliant.
John Morrison at the Institute for Human Rights and Business has led work on mega sporting events and human rights -- see this dedicated site.
For one report critical of the human rights impacts of the games, see 'The Exclusion Games' (report here, and short video here).
I found it very difficult to find, on the IOC's own site, a simple and clear statement on human rights impacts (including as to relationships with commercial partners and providers).
There is of course the IOC's famous Charter, but that is not the same thing.
On this issue, you may have seen the recent launch by FIFA of a report it commissioned by business & human rights expert John Ruggie into human rights issues in FIFA's own conduct. This of course comes ahead of the somewhat controversial football World Cup in the Gulf...
JF
Dr. Ford, I am a law student in the state of Oklahoma, USA, who is quite interested in the development of human rights policy and mega-sporting events. I am writing a law review article on the new Ruggie guidelines for FIFA, and why they should be applied to the IOC as well. One thing I can't get my mind wrapped around is why the IOC isn't yet following suit with FIFA. The FIFA statute and the new Ruggie suggestions are precisely the procedural changes that human rights groups are calling for. When will we see these changes in the IOC? Have you seen progress in IOC procedure? Thomas Bach's opening speech in Monaco at the launch of the Olympic Agenda 2020 had the right tone, but seems not to be backed up by policy change. Would love to get your thoughts on this. Great to see a blog on this topic. Thanks, Abby
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