This year’s report on human rights abuses in the world, published by Human Rights Watch, features a special essay on human rights violations in relation to mega-events.

Slave like conditions for migrant workers on Sochi Olympics construction sites led to several deaths, many of which are still not accounted for, says an article published by the website theblacksea.eu. The article warns that, with a law passed in 2013 that suspends important workers’ rights, something similar could be the case for the construction of World Cup venues.

It may leave many crucial questions open. But by accepting president Thomas Bach’s Agenda 2020 reform programme unanimously, the IOC has set the yardstick that it will be measured by for many years to come.

Tokyo’s hosting of the Olympic Games in 1964 was a PR triumph, which reflected on the entire population’s self-confidence. The Japanese government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s vision for the 2020 Games is to repeat this success, but it will be a Japan with all its strengths, weaknesses and inner conflicts that opens its doors to the world.

In FIFA, silence is more valued than transparency and fair play, says Andreas Selliaas in this comment looking at FIFA's handling of the Garcia report.

Politicians and sport leaders around the globe often argue that major sporting events have a positive effect on mass participation. A new study underlines that it is a myth.

After the leading Norwegian governmental party voted not to support Oslo as the host city of the 2022 Winter Olympics last night, the city of Oslo has withdrawn its host application. Norwegian media has since been filling with IOC-critical comments, calling the IOC both pompous and unsympathetic.

Annual Olympics could be a way to salvage the Games, says Christer Ahl in his returning column and suggests to split up the Summer Games in three separate events, while hoping to create a debate which goes beyond considering cosmetic changes to the status quo.