The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) has been reported to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for alleged misconduct in business dealings during the preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The complaint, filed by a Swiss sports operations and management company, claims that the COB, through a Brazilian intermediary, requested extensive transportation services for the Games. However, what initially appeared to be a legitimate procurement process turned into a problematic and non-transparent business relationship, prompting the company to take legal action.
According to the complaint, the Swiss company was contacted to provide price quotes for transportation services. Over a period of four months, the company conducted research and substantial work on behalf of the COB. However, the company was surprised to discover that the COB had no intention of paying for these services, using their work as a tool to gather information without following a formal contracting process. Faced with the lack of transparency, the company raised concerns with the COB’s intermediary, who responded with alarming comments about the organization’s work ethic.
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In January 2024, without prior notice, both the COB and its Brazilian intermediary ceased all contact with the company, leaving their requests for information regarding the procurement process unanswered. This sudden disappearance raised suspicions about the COB’s true intentions, leading the Swiss company to issue an invoice for the services provided from September 2023 to January 2024. The COB’s response was surprising: they requested the cancellation of the invoice, claiming that the services were “alleged” and had never been authorized, despite extensive communication proving otherwise.
The company attempted to resolve the conflict amicably, but faced with unclear responses and intimidating behavior from the COB’s lawyers, they decided to escalate the case. A formal complaint was eventually filed with the IOC, highlighting the COB’s lack of transparency, honesty, and professionalism throughout the process. The company believes that the COB not only acted in bad faith but also violated Olympic principles and standards of conduct.
In addition to the ethical issues, the Swiss company also reported that the COB’s actions damaged its relationships with key partners in Paris, which in turn affected their business dealings with other clients. The complaint underscores that the COB failed to comply with agreements under the International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport, raising further concerns about the organization’s conduct.
