Having a time machine to return to the past in order to change the future would be quite a valuable tool at this moment, until we realize that if it got into the wrong hands (a Biff), then the outcome could be far worse.
Fortunately, the rules of this game (life) dictate that we can only change the future by acting wisely in the present.
It is with this spirit that I offer some considerations, based on my recent experience (Bye-Bye Brazil: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3), and suggest that we learn from the past, but then let it go — so that we can embrace today’s challenges and set our sights firmly — on the future!
Brazil
(Insert almost any country — soon after hosting a World Cup or an Olympic Games event.)
Are we lost?
The Mayans, perhaps best know for their complex calendar, prophesied an end of the “world” for the year circa 2012 (two years before the Brazil World Cup and 4 years before the Rio Olympic Games.)
Many (of our time) understood this date to represent the destruction of our planet, and life as we know it — in the biblical sense.
Most historians suggest, however, that the Mayan viewed the conclusion to their longest calendar cycle, the Baktun (~394 years), as a celebration of a new beginning, not the end of humanity.
A change in Baktuns represented an end to one way of thinking and the onset of an awakening: a new, higher level of spiritual consciousness that would be reached by their civilization collectively, and which, likely, had to be earned through some level of suffering.
As I watched the rain come down during the closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and observed the athletes bid a tearful farewell, I wondered if we were experiencing an “end” to one era and the beginning of a new world.
New Beginnings
Brazil (as we have already described at length) has endured considerable suffering over the last many years, and yet — looking backwards, it feels like going through this experience was, tragically, necessary.
So much was revealed in so little time.
Catastrophic events and heavy losses challenge us to reacess our values — to change from within.
Consideration:
Before any protagonist finds the courage to ACT to overcome his/her greatest obstacle they must first “see” in himself/herself their own critical flaw — that which must be conquered/overcome in order to change the course of their lives.
What was once a suppressed desire, becomes a must — a binary, “life or death” scenario (usually in the figurative sense, but not always) that requires the protagonist to act, and which as a result of their taking action, completes his/her transformation — if successful.
These are not times to hold on, but times to experiment, to try new things, to be bold and to face our fears.
Heroes will emerge, and Brazil has certainly found one in judge Sergio Moro, along with his legion of young judges, prosecutors, investigators and law enforcement officers, who are fearlessly bringing down the corrupt elite establishment. (If nobody is above the law anymore perhaps we can discard for good the rampant cynicism and start looking forward to building something great.)
But, improving the legal system is just one part of the puzzle.
Brazil’s transformation needs to occur at a cultural level.
And, since a democratic “civilization” is measured by the quality of its people, it is upon each one of us to ensure that we change from within and that we put our best foot forward.
We cannot wait for a deux ex machina (a divine intervention) to save us from ourselves when we need it most. We are in control. We must earn our wins and we cannot blame others for our losses — not even the system itself — because we have the power to change it.
And so, the question remains: What is Brazil’s vision for the future? How will it manifest it’s destiny?
We may not have the answers yet, but we must each try to find them. I believe it starts with holding ourselves, personally, to the highest standards and demanding the best from others —in particular our loved ones (family and friends).
We must believe that we have something meaningful to contribute to the world, and then we must go out there and build it.
And, most of all, we have to reject once-and-for-all the idea that we are forever limited by the realidade brasileira (the Brazilian reality). People who use such words have been conditioned to do so, and will never see past them. They are holding us back — as so many did during the World Cup and the Olympic Games. These people will soon fade into history, and be replaced by those carrying a new mindset.
Brazilian singer/songwriter, Thianguinho, challenges his fans to go out into the world spreading Ousadia e Alegria (Audacity and Happiness.)
We should consider this motto once again, as it was at the core of the Ginga (Brazil’s creative soccer/football style) that mesmerized world football fans. It, I would argue, is the at the core of what Brazilians can “gift” to the world.
While it is still dark and the clouds overhead remain heavy, I believe that come sunrise, the future for Brazil will look brighter than it has ever looked before — we have finally looked into the mirror.
It may still get worse before getting better, but…
My hope, is that like the Brazilian Native Indians, we will begin to give more importance to our Personal Legacy than our craftiness at gaming the system, what is notoriously called the “jeitinho brasileiro” (the Brazilian way.)
CONSIDERATIONS
FIFA (Féderation Internationale de Football Association)
Before the World Cup in Brazil, I was, in a way, a child who still believed in Santa Claus. I was your greatest fan. I loved the World Cup.
After witnessing firsthand the wreckage caused by your event and the manner in which your institution conducted itself in Brazil, I simply cannot support what you do any longer. I knew things could be bad. I was witness to what was done in South Africa just four years earlier, but I was still blinded by the excitement of the beautiful game being played in my birth country.
Many forget that you (FIFA) don’t own the game of soccer (football).
The damage to Brazil’s coffers, the pain inflicted upon the poor (and wealthy) in Brazil, are just inexcusable. You negotiated a deal with a megalomaniac leader (then president Lula), took advantage of a culture infatuated with the sport of soccer, secured the resources of others (the Brazilian people) to build the facilities you would come to use, and you earned a huge profit, without giving back (you didn’t pay local taxes), and you did this while having no concern for what would be left behind after your event.
Let me read back to you what you state as your mission:
“FIFA’s mission is to develop football everywhere and for all, to touch the world through its inspiring tournaments and to build a better future through the power of the game.”
I am sure there are many well-intentioned people who work at FIFA, but your conduct in no way honors your mission, and I don’t understand how you are allowed to continue your work.
How is it that nobody calls you out!?
I can only imagine the damage that is being done in Russia for 2018, since Russia is even further down the Corruption Perceptions Index (as compared to Brazil). In 2015, Brazil was ranked 76th out of 167 countries, while Russia was at 119th!
And what about Qatar 2022? How is building a series of gigantic, FIFA-level stadiums in a country that has no soccer — good for the Qataris? What do you see as the Legacy being built there? At what cost are you willing to develop football?
Let me also read back to you the meaning/origin behind the term white elephant found on Wikipedia:
A “white elephant” is a possession which its owner cannot dispose of and whose cost, particularly that of maintenance, is out of proportion to its usefulness. The term derives from the story that king of Siam, now Thailand, was accustomed to make a present of one of these animals (albino elephants) to courtiers who had rendered themselves obnoxious, in order to ruin the recipient by the cost of its maintenance [Sic].
Was this the gift you intended for Brazil?
Have you visited Manaus, Cuiabá, Brasília, or any other host city stadium since the 2014 World Cup? If so, what does your conscience tell you?
I understand that Brazil’s leadership played a huge part in the unfortunate outcome, but given your power and influence you could have dramatically improved the end result, and I am sure you would have done so, had you not profited so handsomely from said outcome.
And, to make matters worse, the first thing your (FIFA) new boss (Gianni Infantino) is proposing, is to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from 32 — as if the stress on a host country were not great enough.
Bigger, I guess, is always better.
Can I make a suggestion?
Why not detail in advance all of the measures needed for each country interested in hosting a World Cup, and then, only once the country meets all of your obligations, grant them the “privilege” (of hosting your event.)
Also, why not set a minimum threshold within the Corruption Perception Index for countries wishing to bid to host your event? THAT would be “building a better future through the power of the game.”
IOC — International Olympic Committee
Sport is a powerful force for good and no entity, or sporting event captures this spirit more profoundly than the Olympic Games.
Your event is simply wonderful and you honor your mission well.
The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind, in a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.
The Paralympic Games, in particular, moved me and opened my eyes.
I am confident the Paralympic Games will lead to improved infrastructure to meet the needs of handicapped citizens across Brazil, and that this advancement will be meaningful.
The investments in transportation in Rio in particular, have dramatically improved the city for its residents.
During the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games you promised excellence in the area of the environment with powerful imagery represented by the beautiful, mirrored vessels carrying seeds planted by athletes, which later magically transformed into forests forming the Olympic logo (the rings.)
While LEED certification of sport facilities was a huge win, I was disappointed with my overall experience in your arenas. I hope you will consider working with organizations like the Green Sports Alliance going forward. I am confident you will find good partners in the Japanese people (Tokyo 2020) as they certainly have shown us already that they have much to teach us. Hey it’s just 3.5 years away!
As for Legacy and the sporting venues that will be left behind, I am aware that there is a plan in place (although no detailed information seems to be publically available). I hope you (the IOC) will keep the pressure on local authorities to make sure there is follow-through.
The fact that two pre-existing stadiums were used (the Engenhão held the track & field events and the Maracaña the Opening and Closing ceremonies) shows that the days of building stadiums like the Bird’s Nest in Beijing, China are long gone (or so we hope).
I must note that there was a big, missed opportunity in the fact that the Olympic facilities could have greatly strengthened the sports infrastructure of a university in Rio. Brazilian universities have no tradition in sports and really could have used the boost. You showed Brazilians that there is diversity in sport — that there is more than just soccer.
Well, now what?
Regarding diversity, it is at the heart of what it means to be Brazilian — from our forests to our people. Brazilians could have learned more about their origins and the world could have benefited from a deeper understanding, tolerance and appreciation for the diversity we have on this planet. It could help bridge the gap between the humanitarian challenges we are facing as well those relating to the environment. Check this out for an awesome expression of diversity in Brazil: indigenous languages.
Olympic Values: Friendship, Respect and Excellence.
Paralympic Values: Determination, Courage and Equality
Diversity could have been your gift for the Rio 2016 Games.
On an artistical note, imagine if the opening and closing ceremonies had found an innovative way to replace the customary fireworks —which are noisy, pollute and simply don’t fit with the theme of the presentation — the environment (Amazon jungle.) Technology could have been well applied in this regard.
(The imagination goes wild once we consider that the stadium’s roof (and the sky above it) could have been used to form the canopy of a rainforest.)
On a strategical note, I suggest you remove men’s soccer (football) from the Olympic Games.
Men’s soccer (11v11) is watched week-in and week-out with the very best players in the world on the pitch. Fielding youth national teams is beneath the Olympic Games and it serves as a distraction from other sport modalities, including Women’s Soccer which deserves to own the limelight.
You can replace Men’s (11v11) Soccer with Men and Women’s Futsal (5v5 indoor) and Men and Women’s Futevolei (2v2 Foot-Volley) beach volleyball played with your feet, thighs, shoulders and head (no hands or arms). The athletes who play these sports have incredible foot skills and will thrill traditional soccer fans in new ways, further elevating the Olympic Games.
(If you are not familiar with these sports, then check out the following highlights for Futsal and Futevolei.)
And finally, to…
Brazilian Sport Business Leaders
There is really too much to say. I will spare everyone and make only two suggestions.
First, the work on the World Cup and Olympic Games is far from over. A real plan needs to be put in place to rescue the sport venues that were built.
The solution will require a concerted effort by sport and entertainment industry leaders and the public sector, and it must start with a radically improved stadium and arena experience. Professional stadium operators (with international experience) need to be brought onboard to inject new energy, ideas and improve services.
You cannot expect them to come in and inject cash (as most of you are doing) as this is not customary business practice. Instead, partner with them on revenue sharing deals so that you can attract the best talent to your team. Give them a real incentive to produce results and you (the stadium owner — whether Public or Private), can reap the lion’s share of the reward. If you do not do this immediately, these stadiums will experience a very quick, sad and costly death.
For those involved in managing venues, I suggest you look into LEED O+M Operation and Maintenance.
Second, most stadiums around the world depend on the sale of alcohol (beer in particular) to turn a profit. Brazilian soccer stadium managers are, at present, prohibited from selling alcohol (thanks to Article 13-A, Item II of the “Fan Law” (Estatuto do Torcedor.) Without this important revenue source there is little they can do to cover costs, which, much to public dismay, results in higher ticket prices. To circumvent the issue, fans drink outside of stadiums before games, rush into the venues for the starting whistle, then rush back out as soon as the game is over.
The violence problem is in no way improved and the stadiums lose an important line item (revenue source) which could be used, in fact, to improve fan safety. There is simply no evidence that since the law was passed fan violence has come down.
For the sake of the stadiums, and Brazilian soccer, get this law reversed as soon as possible.
Legacy?
For all of the talk about Legacy before the Global Games, it is now clear to me that legacy was never an honest goal.
FIFA, the IOC and local authorities, must understand that fans are becoming better informed. Failure on host-nation-legacy will become less and less tolerated, even by global TV audiences.
We understand it is difficult to work with country officials.
But…
Fans are no longer passive. They hunger for information, expect to be involved and want to experience something that changes them (remember “the gift”?)
They want a “lesson” that they can take with them into the future and I am here to tell you that…
If the Global Games do not evolve, then they will soon face their own irrelevance — left behind (by us) like the white elephants they litter across our planet.
It is time, to look to the future…
Next up: Personal Lessons, acquired along this journey and a gift offering on how to “Design the Future!”
