Bill Overview
Title: GENOCIDE GAMES Act
Description: This bill requires the President to impose sanctions on certain foreign individuals who materially supported a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights against a 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games participant. Upon receiving credible evidence of such a human rights violation, the President must impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on any foreign individual associated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), including the president of the IOC, who the President determines materially supported the violation of human rights, including by providing to participants false, reckless, or negligent assurances of human rights assurances by the government of China. This bill's requirements shall terminate on March 13, 2023.
Sponsors: Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8]
Target Audience
Population: Foreign Individuals with connections to IOC implicated in human rights violations in 2022 Winter Games
Estimated Size: 10
- The bill targets the IOC and foreign individuals connected to the IOC who are believed to have supported human rights violations during the 2022 Winter Games.
- The sanctions focus on those who provided false assurances of human rights protection in China related to the Games.
- Athletes who participated in the 2022 Winter Games and experienced human rights violations are indirectly affected.
- The IOC president and members could be sanctioned, which could influence their operations and reputations globally.
Reasoning
- The GENOCIDE GAMES Act primarily impacts foreign nationals associated with the IOC and does not directly affect the general US population. However, the policy could have ripple effects on US stakeholders engaged in the Olympics, such as athletes and diplomats.
- Given the limited scope and indirect impact on US citizens, only a small, specialized segment of the population may feel any lasting consequences of this policy. The budget constraints suggest focus on diplomatic efforts and administrative sanctions, not services or reliefs aimed at citizens.
- The policy's indirect impact might manifest in regulatory changes or heightened awareness about human rights violations, possibly improving sense of justice or fairness in international sporting events among the general public.
- Since the policy window expired on March 13, 2023, any lasting effects would likely be psychological, perceptual, or cultural among athletes or others in the sporting community.
Simulated Interviews
Olympic Coach (Denver, CO)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a coach, I feel it's crucial for athletes to have assurances that their safety and rights are protected. This policy is a step in the right direction, though it seems mainly symbolic as it expired quickly.
- The sanctions could pressure international bodies to take human rights more seriously, which indirectly benefits the athletes I work with.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Former Olympic Athlete (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Personally, the policy was too late to have impacted my experience, but it's necessary to hold accountable those who allowed human rights abuses to happen.
- I hope future athletes benefit from increased scrutiny on the IOC.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Diplomatic Staff (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My role didn't get directly impacted, but there's an interesting precedent set for how sports events and human rights are treated.
- Long-term, this policy can lead to stronger international collaborations that respect human rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Human Rights Advocate (New York, NY)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I welcome this policy as it underscores the importance of human rights in sports.
- Although short-lived, the awareness it generated can help push further long-term changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Businessman in International Sports Market (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy has raised some tension and uncertainty in dealing with sanctioned individuals, though directly it doesn't affect my operations.
- These sanctions need to be carefully considered as they shape perceptions and relationships in the sports business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Aspiring Olympic Athlete (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing that there are policies in place to safeguard athletes' rights is reassuring, although the direct impact isn't visible to me.
- I hope these kinds of initiatives lead to safer environments for Olympic participants.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired Diplomat (Chicago, IL)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy holds symbolic value in international relations, emphasizing the US's stance on human rights.
- Long term, similar policies should be sustained to make a tangible impact on the international stage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Sports Journalist (Boston, MA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- From a reporting perspective, this policy adds a layer of complexity in discussing international sports.
- It raises awareness and holds institutions accountable to some extent, encouraging transparency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
International Affairs Analyst (Miami, FL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy shows the US's active role in addressing human rights issues, setting a precedent for other events.
- However, its short-lived nature might limit real transformative impact on policy and practice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
NGO Worker for Athlete Protection (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these, even if temporary, create awareness and pressure for change.
- Long-term, more structured approaches are needed to ensure continuous protection for athletes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $8000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $10000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Ensure diplomatic relations are managed carefully to avoid unintended retaliatory actions that could escalate costs or economic impacts.
- The short-term duration of the bill limits long-term impacts on economic and diplomatic relations.