I am with millions of people around the world who are excited for the Olympic games. I am just as excited as you to be watching the famous athletes that trained so hard to be picked for a national team. I am especially happy that this year will feature (thanks to the UN), a refugee team. The First Refugee team formed by people who were unfortunate to receive the training “we" first world or countries, in general, are blessed with. In addition, these athletes are displaced by their own country due to war or economic situations. This year will be the first year I will not be rooting for my home country. Due to recent politics, we, along with the entire western nation have declared these people to be invisible. I can go on an entire rant on how little the media covers the success of this idea. Although, I should probably just stick to the main issue when I think of this year's Olympic games. The idea is hypocrisy and irony, right? Placing a refugee team in this year Olympics, not just by on ideals of our own country but on many other occasions. However, that won't be the reason why I am writing this article. I am writing about the fact that it is in Rio. I know, it is kind of different, I am forming an opinion based on geography. The first time I asked my mom, "The Olympics can't be in Brazil, there has to be a different Rio". She nodded her head. “Nope, it is in Brazil."
They can't be holding the first refugee team in Brazil. Why? You ask. Remember the FIFA CUP? Perhaps, let me refresh your memory, in case there are other readers out there who do not know or understand what that big commotion was about. The interim leader, President of Brazil manipulated millions of dollars from ordinary people, (public money) to possibly fund the World Cup. It led to the biggest protest, leaving people in economic devastation and extreme poverty. Focusing on a global scale, there is an extreme gap between the extremely rich and the poor (sounds familiar). However, Brazil has the largest rural poverty population in the western hemisphere. The majority of the people felt that money is wasted by hosting games; 15 billion dollars should have been spent on education, health care, and social issues to reduce high-income inequality. (not updated stadiums and light shows) Since the protests, FIFA has given Brazil 100 million to a world cup legacy fund aimed at sports facilities for youth. It also gave back to some grassroots foundations for healthcare.
However, fast-forwarding to the 2016 Rio Olympics, the current President Michel Temer is also deeply unpopular with the locals. There is greater scrutiny over him having ties with illegal financing options for his campaign. Brazil has been in the worst recession for decades. In the opening of the Olympics, there was booing when he briefly announced the start of the Olympics. A typical response, Mario Andrada (Rio Olympics Organizer committee) escorted them out with the following statement. “Needs to be clean of political, religious, and commercial manifestations because they affect the viewers, they affect the TV." This has been a massive global response to peaceful protests. That did not stop the outside people of Brazil from protesting. By spending millions of dollars for funding games when countries can no longer afford it “What is this worth?" The communities have been removed; the slums are becoming more occupied, not to mention the environmental crimes and basic human rights violations.
There is a campaign called “Rio 2016: The Games of Exclusion." They march near the stadium to inform on the repercussions of holding such a mega event. It presents that revenue from an increase in tourist locations; ticket sales and merchandise sales don't actually help the poor or middle class. It cannot only affect the communities financially but also socially. They have also formed a “map of exclusion" to show the transparency of the great urban inventions and companies that show labor violations. Both during the preparation for the games but also throughout history, and they even brought to light the recent intensified criticism of open markets.
Isn't it such a western thing to do? Have the first refugee team to be in the Olympics to overshadow the location. Do you think that is a coincidence? Or is it truly to see the refugees in a good light due to the global scare. By any and all means I am not forcing anyone to root for a specific team. Everyone has their right to a personal connection to whom they support, I also not saying to boycott the Olympics and that sports shouldn't be held in a level of importance. Competition is a way to relieve pain, express yourself, and boost self-esteem. It's something that should be rewarded. My point is, whenever you are forced to see Olympic ads on every TV network, posts/banners on Facebook, billboards, clothing, lights, arenas, and people getting lost in chanting team spirit, remember there are always important issues at hand. Should we re-evaluate the over the sensation of sports? Reward and criticize the good and bad intentions and consequences of both. If the refugee team wins a major victory, not only will it stand for all displaced people, it will be a victory for the people who are struggling in Brazil even if the citizens do expect more to come out of their protests.
What are your thoughts when you see this year's Olympics?
