Blame it on Rio: isomorphism, environmental protection and sustainability in the Olympic Movement

Abstract

This article will effectively place blame on Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as it represents the latest Olympic host city to raise the stakes in matters of environmental protection and sustainability. Subject to isomorphic pressures operating within the organizational field, Bid Organizing Committees (BOCs) are encouraged to prescribe environmental programmes that are not only similar to, but are increasingly more ambitious than, previously successful bids. Rio's bid, by extension, represents the latest Olympic host city that has been driven to replicate, and then expand upon, elements of environmental protection and sustainability. This article will apply a range of institutional and organizational management theories to explain why BOCs have emerged as the actor responsible for enhancing the prospect of sustainability in the Olympic Movement while the International Olympic Committee's attempts at doing so have been considerably less effective.

Keywords:

• isomorphism
• sport mega-events
• bidding processes
• sustainability
• environmentalism

Notes

1. The first step towards securing the right to host the Olympic Games begins with the Applicant Stage. An IOC working group then produces a report based on the Candidature Acceptance Applications, reporting their findings to the IOC Executive Board. The IOC Executive Board holds sole discretion in selecting cities to advance to the Candidature Stage. Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid were selected to become candidate cities whereas Baku, Doha and Prague did not advance past the Applicant Stage for the 2016 Games. In the second phase of the bidding process, candidate cities prepare Candidature Files based on questions outlined by the IOC in the Candidature Procedure and Questionnaire (IOC 2009a).

2. Theme 6: Environment and Meteorology represents 1 of 17 themes covered by the IOC in the Candidature Procedure and Questionnaire. Other themes present in the 2016 edition: (1) Vision, legacy and Games experience; (2) Overall concept of the Olympic Games; (3) Political and economic climate and structure; (4) Legal aspects; (5) Customs and immigration formalities; (6) Environment and meteorology; (7) Finance; (8) Marketing; (9) Sport and venues; (10) Paralympic Games; (11) Olympic Village(s); (12) Medical services and doping control; (13) Security; (14) Accommodation; (15) Transport; (16) Technology; and (17) Media operations (IOC 2007a).

3. See Green (2011), Gaffney (2011) and McGowan (2009) for further explanation on the status of Rio's Olympic progress.

4. There is some evidence pointing towards convergence between other sport mega-event organizing bodies and the IOC. The Commonwealth Games Federation accepted a charter similar to the Olympic Charter and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association has enhanced its bidding process to become more rigorous akin to the Olympic bidding process; however, neither can yet be compared with the IOC.

5. 1987 Brundtland Report Definition: ‘Sustainable development satisfies the needs of the present generation without compromising the chance for future generations to satisfy theirs’ (as cited in IOC 1999b).

6. The Norwegian government heeded Brundtland's recommendation and set five ‘green goals’ in connection with hosting: to increase international awareness of ecological questions; to safeguard and develop the region's environmental qualities; to contribute to economic development and sustainable growth; to adapt the architecture and land use to the topology of the landscape; and to protect the quality of the environment and of life during the Games (Chappelet 2008).

7. In the 2006 Candidature Procedure and Questionnaire, this theme was changed to Theme 4: Environmental Protection and Meteorology. For 2012, it was changed to Theme 5: Environment and Meteorology and for 2016 Theme 6: Environment and Meteorology.

8. Each of the 17 themes found in the Candidature Procedure and Questionnaire is prefaced by a summary of the guarantees required for that section. For the 2016 Candidature Procedure and Questionnaire, there is only one question that must be ‘guaranteed’, 6.7, which mandates that all construction complies with local, regional and national regulations while also meeting international agreements and protocols with regard to planning and the protection of the environment.