Put rights on podium

As spectators streamed into the stands for the Rio Olympics, the world’s attention has focused on the city’s sewage-filled waters, the deadly Zika virus and dirty drugging. But the bigger picture is Brazil’s murky human-rights record. And it is only one of the countries that routinely violate rights in the lead-up to mega sporting events.

That’s partly because wealthy and more democratic countries are less likely to host the Games.

However, more repressive countries that can ignore or manipulate public opinion are eagerly competing to burnish their tarnished reputations and gain points on the international stage.

Although the Olympic Charter obligates hosts to respect human dignity and reject discrimination on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or “otherwise,” repressive countries have come to expect a free pass from the International Olympic Committee.

So how can the abuses surrounding these huge sporting events be reversed?

Toughening the rules is a start. After 2022, the IOC will require prospective hosts to enforce their own laws on planning, construction and environmental protection, health, safety and labour conditions — or face cancellation of their Olympic contracts.

Now the IOC must decide whether the much-vaunted Olympic spirit is a reality, or a Disneyfied fantasy that masks the inconvenient truths.