Align with Athletes
Challenging the Olympic sponsors to fight for athletes’ rights
Dear Sponsors,
It’s time to align with athletes.
The International Olympic Committee is ignoring the rights of athletes that you champion in your companies…
Human Rights Championed by Olympic Sponsors
AB InBev
“The Company respects the right of all its workers to form and join lawful trade unions and other organizations of their choice, and to bargain collectively in support of their mutual interests.” ABI Human Rights Policy
Allianz
“The protection of human rights, such as... the right to form and join trade unions, and fair wages, have been enshrined in our internal and corporate rules, depending on local laws and requirements”. Policy Statement of Allianz SE Human Rights
Coca Cola
“Workers must be fairly compensated in alignment with national law, industry standards and local labor markets, and in accordance with the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreements.” The Coca Cola Company Global Human Rights Policy
Deloitte
“We are committed to pay wages and offer appropriate employment benefits that meet or exceed local industry standards. We respect freedom of association and the rights of workers." Deloitte’s Human Rights Statement
Intel
“[E]mployees have the right to freely associate or not associate with third-party organizations, such as labor organizations, along with the right to bargain or not bargain collectively in accordance with local laws.” Intel Global Human Rights Principles and Approach
Samsung
“We guarantee the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining and do not impose disadvantage for reasons such as entering, serving or forming a labor union.” Samsung Human Rights Policy
VISA
“Our people are our greatest asset. We recognize employees’ right to freedom of assoication and collective bargaining. Workers have the right to organize to protect their own interests. When we act in accordance with labour laws, we ensure fair negoitations.” VISA Human Rights
Human Rights Ignored by the IOC
Controlled freedom of expression
The IOC Charter states that athletes can enjoy freedom of expression as long as it is “in accordance with the Guidelines determined by the IOC Executive Board.” Source: IOC Olympic Charter
Controlled and dictated association
The IOC’s Athlete Commission (AC) Regulations state that its members must respect the Olympic Charter and any regulation issued by the IOC, therefore enforcing that all athlete members to agree with decision of the IOC. Thus, the IOC controls the athletes’ voice. Source: IOC AC Regulations
No collective bargaining
The IOC limits athlete input to a few select AC members who have no official mandate from athletes globally. Additionally, any mention of athletes’ generating income from their sports in IOC documentation is conditional to athletes abiding by the rules of the Olympic Charter which restricts athletes’ ability to monetize from their name, image and likeness. Source: IOC Olympic Charter
Limited to no compensation
The IOC Human Rights Framework outlines that the IOC’s role regarding athletes’ capacity to earn a “sufficient income to sustain a decent livelihood” is limited to the IOC Athlete Career Programme helping athletes “achieve sustainable success beyond the field of play” and through Olympic Solidarity by supporting “the development of Olympic sports” and “funding of the Olympics Games”. Source: IOC Human Rights Framework