The Olympic Games is arguably the worlds largest sporting spectacle, with a long proud history. The first modern day games took place in Athens, Greece in 1896 then is repeatedly held once every four years in a chosen city. Viewed as an honor and privilege to be selected after years of arduous campaigning, cities open their doors to athletes across the globe to compete in front of millions on sports grand stage. However the games are not without controversy, behind the glitz and glamour lies a lengthy trail of misspent public funds, displaced residents and social unrest. This piece will discuss economical, social and political impacts and its causes in relation to issues generated by and surrounding The Olympic Games.
The cost of hosting …show more content…
Displacement refers to the forced removal of residents from their households for unpreventable reasons beyond their control (Porter, pg 395). The consequences of Beijing playing host city was the displacement of over 1 million citizens making way for the development of facilities, subway systems and roads. The apparent disregard for human rights didn’t elicit any response from the IOC nor did it deter sponsors from jumping on board, compounding the issue were threats to journalists who so much as thought to write anything demeaning. Alarmingly there was insufficient compensation and lack of support in helping find alternative housing for those evicted, many of which have called areas like Dayuanfu home for 2 decades (Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions, COHRE, 2008, pgs 7-9). Fast forward a few years and in 2016 Rio De Janeiro will play coveted hosts to the Olympics, synonymous with sandy beaches, a scorching sun and a festive nightlife it faces the same moral issues. There have been whispers of social unrest and human right violations. The “cleaning up” process of favela scums is further fueling anger, exacerbated by concerns of potential displacements. Rio is notorious for its high crime rates, prevalence of drugs and brutal drug cartels exploiting slum areas …show more content…
Spikes in tourism, sustainable infrastructure and redevelopment are some of a myriad of promises made by the government to acquire public support and downplay opposition. However once the bid is won promises are broken, funds are misplaces and unsustainable borrowing hurts the economy. In the haste of time restrictions, planning processes and budget management plans fly out the window and costs begin to accumulate. The real winners in all of this are private real estate developers; they and related industries stand to gain what the cities lose (Shaw, pg4). In regards to tourism, statistics show that the Olympic games did little to increase tourism for China and England in 2008 and 2012. If anything there was a decline (Office for National Statistics, 2012)which could be attributed to security fears and lack of interest. Although the London games attracted half a million visitors, tourism halted like in many of by-gone cities after the stadium doors closed. As for the re-use of promised sustainable and environmentally friendly stadiums majority have been left untouched. Most noticeable are the venues in Athens left unmaintained due to costs and Greece’s ailing economy. Athens the birthplace of the Olympic games damaged its legacy in 2004 with infrastructure now turned into dumping grounds left to ruin In most cases the revenue from
The cost of hosting …show more content…
Displacement refers to the forced removal of residents from their households for unpreventable reasons beyond their control (Porter, pg 395). The consequences of Beijing playing host city was the displacement of over 1 million citizens making way for the development of facilities, subway systems and roads. The apparent disregard for human rights didn’t elicit any response from the IOC nor did it deter sponsors from jumping on board, compounding the issue were threats to journalists who so much as thought to write anything demeaning. Alarmingly there was insufficient compensation and lack of support in helping find alternative housing for those evicted, many of which have called areas like Dayuanfu home for 2 decades (Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions, COHRE, 2008, pgs 7-9). Fast forward a few years and in 2016 Rio De Janeiro will play coveted hosts to the Olympics, synonymous with sandy beaches, a scorching sun and a festive nightlife it faces the same moral issues. There have been whispers of social unrest and human right violations. The “cleaning up” process of favela scums is further fueling anger, exacerbated by concerns of potential displacements. Rio is notorious for its high crime rates, prevalence of drugs and brutal drug cartels exploiting slum areas …show more content…
Spikes in tourism, sustainable infrastructure and redevelopment are some of a myriad of promises made by the government to acquire public support and downplay opposition. However once the bid is won promises are broken, funds are misplaces and unsustainable borrowing hurts the economy. In the haste of time restrictions, planning processes and budget management plans fly out the window and costs begin to accumulate. The real winners in all of this are private real estate developers; they and related industries stand to gain what the cities lose (Shaw, pg4). In regards to tourism, statistics show that the Olympic games did little to increase tourism for China and England in 2008 and 2012. If anything there was a decline (Office for National Statistics, 2012)which could be attributed to security fears and lack of interest. Although the London games attracted half a million visitors, tourism halted like in many of by-gone cities after the stadium doors closed. As for the re-use of promised sustainable and environmentally friendly stadiums majority have been left untouched. Most noticeable are the venues in Athens left unmaintained due to costs and Greece’s ailing economy. Athens the birthplace of the Olympic games damaged its legacy in 2004 with infrastructure now turned into dumping grounds left to ruin In most cases the revenue from