Migration Op-Ed Series: The glory and disgrace of the Olympic Games – Why refugees and migrants suffer the most

The glory and disgrace of the Olympic Games: Why refugees and migrants suffer the most

by Kristin Phaneuf

The Olympic Games, born nearly 3,000 years ago in ancient Greece, were a symbol of solidarity and peace. However, as seen during the 2024 Paris Olympics, the modern Games often come at the expense of marginalized populations, including refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers. With over 117 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Olympics—meant to represent unity and international cooperation—frequently exacerbate the struggles of those most in need.

Preparations for the modern Olympic Games in Paris included heightened security measures and an estimated $9.7 billion infrastructure budget for specialized facilities, stadiums, lodging, and transportation. French President Emmanuel Macron assured attendees that the July 26 opening ceremonies would “show France at its best.” Apparently, the city’s best does not include refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers. Between April 2023 and May 2024, authorities evicted over 12,500 people from the Île-de-France region to “make room for the beautiful Paris postcard,” according to a June 2024 report from activist group Revers de la Medaille. Paris welcomed the world’s top athletes and privileged spectators but pushed vulnerable populations to the periphery.  Many migrants were provided temporary shelter during the Games but faced an uncertain future once the event concluded.

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, met with Parisian government officials and members of civic society to ensure the Games promoted inclusivity through sport, protected vulnerable groups, and strengthened human rights as “no one should be left behind.” Marie Sallois, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Corporate and Sustainability Development Director, emphasized the transformative achievements of the 2024 games as “a turning point in our approach because now it’s really us adapting to the city, and no longer the [city] adapting to us.” In reality, officials curated a faux-Paris and took calculated measures to conceal its most vulnerable.

Authorities cleared two migrant camps without warning a week before the Olympics. On June 16, police dismantled a camp along the Ourcq canal, displacing nearly 250 people. The next day, roughly 230 migrants were evicted from another camp, with tents and shelters removed. Most accepted temporary housing offers, while others left on foot, fearing abandonment and social isolation. A report by Revers de la Medaille noted Paris was following an existing playbook used by other Olympic cities. Officials ensured residents could not return by installing concrete blocks, spiked metal rails, and other forms of hostile architecture. Migrants received only three weeks of shelter while undergoing asylum screening. About 60 percent were evicted once again. A lawyer described the temporary shelters as ‘an antechamber to deportation‘ and urged migrants to take their chances on the street.

The Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG) contradicted their announcement that Paris 2024 set new standards for sustainability and inclusion while removing refugee and migrants from the city limits. “Transforming communities” does not mean removing certain people from them. The dismantling of migrant camps, closure of reception points, and the elimination of food aid not only runs counter to the IOC’s commitment to set a new standard for social sustainability, but it also violates the very principles of humanity and impartiality.

Host cities for the modern Olympics, along with celebrating the achievements of the best athletes in the world, must consider the social impact of large-scale sporting events. Additionally, it is imperative that spectators, athletes, and Olympic committee members prioritize the needs of all city dwellers in the preparations. The “City of Light” did not shine brighter by adding a veil of invisibility to Paris’s most vulnerable.

The closing ceremonies included a passing of the torch to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who stated the vision for the 2028 Summer Olympics “is to have a Games that lifts up all the city.” The Olympic Games offer a unique opportunity to create global solidarity through sport, but these celebrations should not come at the expense of those in need. Previous host cities redirected funds from housing initiatives towards increased security and infrastructure, and activist groups worry LA will be the same or worse. LA has twice the population of Paris and the number of unsheltered individuals is ten times higher. Sustainable solutions must be explored that uplift communities instead of pushing people out.

If LA intends to host in a humanitarian way unlike previous cities, government leaders must implement permanent solutions to advance outcomes for refugees and the unsheltered. It is essential that displaced people are not just “managed” but invited to become active participants in decision-making processes that shape their lives. With over 52,000 unsheltered individuals, LA’s city leaders should use a portion of the Olympic Games funding to ensure access to affordable housing projects, mental health services, and employment opportunities so all residents benefit from the 2028 Olympics.  Through these dignified measures, the Games can achieve its primary goal of showcasing athletic excellence on a global stage while uplifting vulnerable communities.

While Paris will be remembered as a dazzling success globally, the legacy of the Olympics must extend beyond entertainment, prestige, and Gold medals. The 2028 LA Olympics provide a unique chance to rewrite the script, celebrating sport while protecting the rights of the most vulnerable groups. By implementing sustainable, equitable policies, LA can establish a global benchmark for future host cities, while remain truthful to one of the fundamental principles of Olympism: “to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity” (Olympic Charter). Let the 2028 Games be a catalyst for improving conditions for its underserved populations and set a new standard for inclusivity through sport.

About the Author: Kristin Phaneuf works in refugee resettlement, with a focus on advancing dignified outcomes for unaccompanied children in the United States. She has expertise in strategic planning and humanitarian response. Kristin was a member of the 2024 summer course on migration and refugee studies cohort and is pursuing her third master’s degree (Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies, Field: Government) at the Harvard Extension School. She can be reached on LinkedIn.

Featured photo: Obatala Photography / Shutterstock. Marseille, France, July 26, 2024: The Paris 2024 Olympic rings in Marseille’s Olympic marina for the sailing and water sports events.