Big sporting events are no longer just about competition among athletes. As we all know, they are also about money – especially when construction of the infrastructure gets into the picture. And where there is money and construction – there is corruption. Welcome 2010 World Cup set to take place in South Africa.
In a somewhat stunning (but perhaps not so surprising to those of us familiar with the workings of corruption) development, a person who blew a whistle on corrupt transactions during the construction of one of the stadiums for the world cup was shot and killed this past weekend in South Africa. (The link to the actual expose on corruption is here).
This is another reminder that corruption kills and that its not only about moral calls for transparency and good governance. While the killing sparked a rather loud protest against corruption in South Africa (at least in the online media circles), I wonder if official bodies (local and international) will pay closer attention to corruption there and take concrete steps to ensure transparency.
And what about Sochi and the construction boom expected there?
Published Date: January 08, 2009