Document Type

Article

Disciplines

International Law

Abstract

On July 24, 2020, the Opening Ceremonies for the Tokyo Olympic Games will commence. Tokyo won the right to host the Games by positioning itself as a "safe pair of hands" in contrast to the risker bids of Madrid and Istanbul.1 In preparing for the Games, Tokyo has experienced its share of troubles. Allegations of plagiarism concerning its logo,2 having to change its main stadium design,3 cost overruns,4 and allegations of corruption surrounding its bid,5 could lead one to question whether Tokyo is the "safe pair of hands" it claimed to be. Yet, these issues are par for any Olympic Games.

Another issue that is sadly par for more recent editions of the Olympic Games is the mistreatment of workers. Despite Tokyo 2020's implementation of a "human rights consultation desk", 6 workers on the Olympic venues in Tokyo are laboring with few days off and in unsafe conditions.7 Tokyo 2020, like many other Olympic Games, is facing the challenges of monitoring and enforcing human rights, including labor rights. These problems, particularly the human rights concerns, lead to the question: where is the International Olympic Committee (IOC)? The IOC holds the rights to the Olympic Games and selects the hosts of the quadrennial Summer and Winter Games. We assert that the IOC must be accountable for violations of human rights caused by hosting the Games. The IOC has made reforms in recent years to address human rights violations, but have these reforms been enough?

This article examines the IOC's reforms to address human rights, and what the IOC must do going forward. Part one draws the connection between human rights and the legitimacy of the Olympic Games. Part two briefly discusses the history of IOC crisis management, including the recent human rights crisis facing the Olympic Games, with emphasis on the publication of Agenda 2020. Part three examines the efficacy of the IOC's responses post-Agenda 2020. Part four outlines the responses from the global community to human rights violations at mega-sporting events like the Olympic Games. Part five examines the IOC's engagement with the current multistakeholder approach to human rights, and urges the IOC to engage more closely with these stakeholders. Part six offers concluding thoughts.

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