In 2006, Brazil hoped to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and eventually won the bid because of Colombia, which withdrew after their economy began to decline. However, that wasn't enough: in 2007, Brazil submitted their bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics and two years later, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) declared them the host of the games.

Both were terrible mistakes. But they surely didn't feel that way when they were bidding, due to the economic growth happening at the time. In the late 20th century, their economy was suffering. Inflation had subdued the economy but after many failed plans put into place by their government, only one saved the day in 1994: the Plano Real. It finally brought about the stability they needed to keep Brazil alive through the upcoming decade yet the problems with corruption, crime, illiteracy and poverty had not been solved and continue on today.

Eight construction workers died building the stadium in Brazil and these people, "among the poorest of Brazil," were denied basic human rights as they built a stadium for a sport that they won't even be able to afford to see in person. It doesn't end there. Brazil spent $15 billion on the 2014 World Cup, money that could have gone to implementing programs focused on helping the 15,004,980 people living in poverty, lowering crime and illiteracy and perhaps even cleaning up the waste to improve water quality for their own people.

"In the process, we forgot to take a good look at the product itself. With almost no effort, Rio stands out from most cities around the world. Who else has scenery and a percussive cultural mix like ours?

"Now if we'd just managed to produce better sanitation, income distribution, housing, public safety, an integrated and efficient transportation system, public health and education ..."

They spent $15 billion and what did FIFA give them in return? Only 10 million dollars. Compare those two numbers for a second.

Who's at fault here? Who can we blame for the loss of lives and suffering that poor communities in countries have to go through in the name of sports? I say both FIFA and the IOC should be more careful when considering the hosting country, but of course they don't deserve all the blame. (Just most of it.)

Let's start with FIFA with more recent news. Qatar will host the World Cup in 2022 and already there is news spreading that the migrants being used to build the stadium are being denied human rights, just like in Brazil. Among the list of abuses, it has been said that the workers are threatened, lied to about their salaries, and are forced to live in appalling working conditions. When will this end? When will FIFA take action and stop allowing unsuitable countries to host their games? Sure, they commissioned a report on the issue in Qatar but none of this--the extraordinary suffering and death toll because of soccer--would have occurred if they were more careful. At least, the International Labour Organisation has given Qatar 12 months to end the exploitation of migrant workers or they will face an inquiry by the United Nations.

And now, the International Olympic Committee. We all remember the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing. "Toxic air, algae blooms, Tibetan uprisings," describes it perfectly. Then, another mistake, one that seemed more like a humorous mess because of tweets by the athletes... the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Everyone is expecting the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio to be an absolute disaster because Brazil doesn't seem to be ready. The first events will be held on August 3, yet there are reports of problems like security and the dangers of the polluted water that Brazil has been struggling to clean.

Look, I get it. They are branching out and trying to make these global sporting events, well, global, but they still need to keep in mind the conditions of the workers and the trend of the economy of each respective place before it is chosen.

People losing their homes, sometimes even their lives, is not worth hosting an international game in an "exciting new place."

Tell FIFA and sponsors to stop World Cup exploitation.