Mega-events and democracy

- focus on Brazil

Mega-events and Brazil

The interaction between Brazil and the world is growing by the hour as the FIFA World Cup and the Rio 2016 Olympics come nearer. Brazil is facing a number of new challenges coming from the outside world as well as from the inside.

This Play the Game theme page takes a closer look at Brazil in connection with the upcoming mega-events, the challenges they present and the issues they create.

News about Brazil

World’s volleyball president at risk of losing his impunity

09.07.2021

After seven years, Brazilian prosecutors are finally investigating allegations against the FIVB president Ary Graça and his allies. Previous findings seem confirmed, but police are raising fresh charges of tax fraud against world volleyball’s most powerful leaders.
A football cup of political significance and maximum security

14.06.2019

The 2019 Copa América will be the biggest event held in Brazil since the 2016 Olympics attracting up to 100,000 spectators from abroad. But it will also be a sporting event with a maximum-security set-up held in the shadows of former corruption scandals.
Brazilian journalists look for partners for database on FIFA World Cup costs

30.08.2018

How much money went into the hosting of the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil? And what about the 2014 World Cup? A group of Brazilian journalists has explored the costs of these events and is now planning to expand to project to cover all FIFA World Cups.
Divided by a yellow shirt: the 2014 World Cup and its political and sporting legacies in South America

09.07.2018

After four years of the ‘best World Cup ever’, Brazil’s World Cup legacy is taking shape – and it doesn’t look pretty for the lovers of the once iconic ‘jogo bonito'. Jorge Knijnik looks into the cultural, political and sporting impact of the 2014 event on the people of Brazil.
All the president’s men – and the corruption scandals surrounding Rio 2016

15.09.2017

A series of ongoing investigations in Brazil and France displays the extensity of corruption surrounding last year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. IOC reaffirm its commitment to protect the integrity of sport.

More news

Find more news about Brazil and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The Olympics and Paralympics in Brazil: Who takes the prize?

Under the umbrella of the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), associate professor Katia Rubio and Jens Sejer Andersen, international director of Play the Game have asked a series of insightful authors to describe the status quo for Brazilian society and Brazilian sport as the preparations of the Rio Olympics are nearing its deadline.

The contributions are published in the 70^th edition of ICSSPE’s Bulletin to which Play the Game’s readers have exclusive and free access. Play the Game invites you to study the article overview and pick the articles that is of most interest to you by clicking here, hoping that you will find the reading inspiring and useful.

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Play the Game and Brazil

Mega-events and Brazil at Play the Game 2013

Brazil and the various issues the country is facing with regards to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games was a theme, which was largely debated at the Play the Game 2013 conference, 28-31 October 2013 in Aarhus, Denmark.

Play the Game has gathered the material related to Brazil on these pages and invite you to take a look at the many articles, presentations, audios and videos about the subject.

Find the material here

Play the Game day in Brazil

A large part of the information presented on this page was gathered in connection with Play the Game's one-day seminar in São Paulo on 24 October 2012 titled 'Mega-events and Democracy: Risks and Opportunities'.

It was an experiment that went well beyond the optimistic expectations and gathered 85 journalists, academics, sports leaders, business executives and students to the one-day seminar.

Find more information and material from the seminar here

Selected articles

The battle of Maracanã
The turmoil surrounding Brazil's former national stadium reflects the conflicts that characterise the country in the preparations for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.

Read here

Brazilian corruption fighters face resistance
There are so massive national interests at stake when Brazil hosts the World Cup and the Olympic Games that the government has to play an active role against the corruption that follows. But consideration of the sports movement and the autonomy of the Brazilian states set certain limitations.

Read here