The red and lilac cord around the neck, with a name tag and a photo, registration, acronyms and symbols, is one of the few common accessories amidst the diversity of cultures and colors across the Olympic streets of London. In order to host world visitors in the British capital with security and order, the Games organisation has an apparatus whose size and complexity are in line with the world’s biggest sport event. Athletes, media, authorities and staff of the Olympic World account for about 300 thousand credentials distributed before and after Games-time.

After accreditation, each person undergoes a Background Check carried out by the organisation and the British police, with an interface with the Interpol. Credentials are delivered after being approved, mostly in the requestor’s country of origin. They will be valid as a permanence and work visa in the United Kingdom. They will be validated at London Airport immediately upon arrival, or in one of the other three large accreditation centres: the Olympic Park, the Olympic Family (authorities)’ hotel or in the Media Centre.

To have an overview of this process since the beginning, the Accreditation Manager of the Rio 2016™ Organising Committee, Mônica Urban, was in London two months before the commencement of the Games. She attended meetings as observer, met her London counterparties and prepared a hectic agenda to return during the area’s busiest period from the second week of July on – although the Opening Ceremony was not held before 26 July.

“In addition to the three accreditation centres, all sports venues have accreditation sites that are responsible for the access to that location. It is a complex job, since each ‘client’ has individual needs. On the other hand, there is knowledge generated by previous editions of the Games. The system used is basically the same, with some adjustments to the particularities of each host-country”, analyses Mônica, who worked in Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games and Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games editions, in the International Relations and Protocol areas.

Level of Privileges

Soon after the closing of the London 2012 Olympic Games, there will be system evaluation meetings held by Atos, the Olympic Games world sponsor, in conjunction with the organisation of the next host-city and the government of its country. Issues like immigration policies, working visas and other specific requirements of the Brazilian legislation will be taken into account for possible modifications.

Decisions on the level of access and “privileges” of each accredited person are also challenges for the team of the accreditation functional area. There are eight “client” categories: International Olympic Committee (IOC); International Federations; National Olympic Committees; Local Organising Committee; Olympic Partners (sponsors); Broadcasting Technical Teams; Press and Photographers and future Organising Committees which participate as observers, as in Monica’s case.

They may be accredited for the press and broadcasting areas, operational areas of the Local  Organising Committee and general circulation areas in the sports venues. A few fortunate observers are allowed access to the residential zone of the Olympic Village, the Olympic Family areas and the athlete warm-up areas in the sports venues. The blue access level allows for entrance in the Field of Play or competition site. It is the highest and most reserved level.  Additional privileges such as accesses to the different transportation systems and the Olympic Village’s Restaurant, for example, are also indicated on the credentials.

“Each accredited person has different access levels and privileges which are previously defined by the local Organising Committees in conjunction with the concerned institution. All 300 thousand people belong to a specific organisation. During the Games, they may receive passes and rights for one day or increase them on a permanent basis. Accordingly, the decision is made by the Organising Committee, which manages the process from start to end”, affirms the Rio 2016™ accreditation manager.

There are cases in which people’s credentials are cancelled during the Games, usually due to a decision of their own organization; however, these are isolated cases. For order and security purposes, accreditation has a team willing to share the unique Olympic experience of 300 thousand sport fans. Rio 2016™ benefits from this additional experience in London 2012.