Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 8-22-2012 12:00 AM Olympism, Ethics and The Rio 2016 Olympic Games Preparations: An Ethical Analysis Dana Poeta The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Dr. Angela Schneider The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Kinesiology A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Master of Arts © Dana Poeta 2012 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Ethics and Political Philosophy Commons, Other International and Area Studies Commons, and the Sports Studies Commons Recommended Citation Poeta, Dana, "Olympism, Ethics and The Rio 2016 Olympic Games Preparations: An Ethical Analysis" (2012). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 806. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/806 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. 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OLYMPISM, ETHICS & THE RIO 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES PREPARATIONS: AN ETHICAL ANALYSIS (Spine title: Olympism, Ethics & the Rio 2016 Olympic Games) (Thesis format: Monograph) by Dana Poeta Graduate Program in Kinesiology A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada © Dana Poeta, 2012 THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies CERTIFICATE OF EXAMINATION Supervisor Examiners ______________________________ ______________________________ Dr. Angela Schneider Dr. Ken Kirkwood Advisory Committee ______________________________ Dr. Laura Misener ______________________________ Dr. Ken Kirkwood ______________________________ Dr. Dennis Hudecki ______________________________ Dr. Darwin Semotiuk The thesis by Dana Anne Poeta entitled: Olympism, Ethics & the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Preparations: A Critical Analysis is accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts ______________________ _______________________________ Date Chair of the Thesis Examination Board ii Abstract Olympism is the underlying philosophy of the modern Olympic Games. It provides the ethical foundation of the Olympic Movement. This thesis defends the maintenance of human rights as essential for the achievement of Olympism. The problem investigated and evaluated in this thesis is the preparation for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. A critical analysis and account of the ethical demeanor in regard to the actualization of Olympism is provided. By comparing relevant current issues with past Olympic Games, the recurring problems in achieving Olympism are identified. The conclusion emphasizing the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) responsibility for ensuring that Olympism, and its underpinning values, are a fundamental aspect of the Olympic Games. Keywords Olympism, Human Rights, Olympic Movement, Olympic Ideal iii Acknowledgments This thesis would not have been possible without the help and support of a few individuals who saw me through this entire process. First and foremost, I would like to thank Dr. Angela Schneider for supporting me and helping me through these past two years. Your advice, corrections and time is greatly appreciated. Dr. Ken Kirkwood, for helping generate ideas and discussing my research. To Michelle, for understanding the importance of retail therapy and Starbucks. To Zanth, for keeping me company during my writing stages, discussing my arguments and distracting me with the latest NFL, NHL and NBA updates. To Louis, for being by my side with jujubes, ice cream, sushi and for taking the time to edit my thesis. To B and Hazel, thank you for always being there. To Grandma & Grandpa, thank you for all of the support since the day I was born. I was blessed to have two sets of parents. To Nana & Nonno, thank you for the guidance. And last but not least, to my parents. To my mom, thank you for introducing me to the world of graduate studies as a child. Accompanying you in your long countless hours in the library and watching you write your final research paper gave me a taste of the challenges I would face. To my dad, thank you for supporting my passion for sport. Your constant reminder that politics will always be present in sport, but to not let it ruin the game, opened my eyes to the issues present in the sporting world. Combined with my mom’s knack for argument, and my father’s passion for sport, I must (for once) thank you for my genetics. iv Table of Contents CERTIFICATE OF EXAMINATION ........................................................................... ii Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. iv Table of Contents ................................................................................................................ v Abbreviations .................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................. 1 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Statement of Ethical Issue ....................................................................................... 2 1.2 Justification ............................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Methodology ........................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 4 1.5 Chapter Overview ................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2 ........................................................................................................................... 10 2 Olympism ..................................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Relevancy of Olympism ....................................................................................... 11 2.2 Review of the Literature on Olympism ................................................................ 12 2.3 Best Suited Definition of Olympism..................................................................... 18 2.4 Challenges to Pearson’s Definition ....................................................................... 22 Chapter 3 ........................................................................................................................... 28 3 History .......................................................................................................................... 28 3.1 History Repeats Itself ............................................................................................ 28 3.2 Possible Ethical Implications with the Olympic Games ....................................... 37 v 3.3 Ethics Behind Supporting Sport............................................................................ 42 Chapter 4 ........................................................................................................................... 53 4 Human Rights .............................................................................................................. 53 4.1 Review of the Relevant Literature ........................................................................ 54 4.2 Defining Human Rights and its Relevancy to Olympism ..................................... 60 4.3 Challenges to the Human Rights Argument ......................................................... 65 Chapter 5 ........................................................................................................................... 69 5 Rio de Janeiro’s Preparation for the Olympics ............................................................ 69 5.1 Human Rights Violations in Rio de Janeiro ......................................................... 69 Chapter 6 ........................................................................................................................... 85 6 A Need for Change....................................................................................................... 85 6.1 Pointing the Finger of Blame ................................................................................ 85 6.2 Necessary Changes to Save Olympism................................................................. 89 6.3 Concluding Thoughts ............................................................................................ 94 Bibliography ..................................................................................................................... 98 Curriculum Vitae ............................................................................................................ 106 vi Abbreviations BOPE – Special Police Operations Battalion CBD – Comitȇ Brasileiro de Desportos COB – Comitê Olimpico Brasileiro COC – Canadian Olympic Committee