A/HRC/13/20 48. The requirements for the applicant and candidate cities are considerable. Firstly, applicant cities must submit letters of guarantee that the Games will comply with the Olympic Charter, and a short questionnaire with an overview of their planning project. Secondly, as part of the candidature procedure, they must submit a detailed candidature questionnaire pertaining to a range of issues (including plans for the development and use of sporting and accommodation venues, and binding international legal obligations affecting the organization of the event). Thirdly, they must undertake and submit an independent opinion poll concerning popular support for the Olympic project. Since 2008, a positive trend concerning housing has been introduced to the process, as cities are required to explain the post-Olympic use of new accommodation. The 2016 Candidature Procedure and Questionnaire54 request information on the requirements for land acquisition and displacements, and their conformity with international standards. Similarly, the basic principles and guidelines on development-based evictions and displacement are made available to future host cities55. The commitments made at the candidature stage are binding for the candidate city if selected as host city.56 49. Overall, the International Olympic Committee has developed a fairly structured and institutionalized mechanism for the bidding process and selection of host cities. In addition, the transparency of these procedures facilitates social accountability. Thus, the bidding and selection process offers many opportunities for addressing the right to adequate housing at an early stage; indeed, the 2016 questionnaire incorporates a few housing concerns. No information suggests, however, similar practices in other procedures, such as in letters of guarantee or host city contracts. Likewise, the Rules of Conduct applicable to all Cities wishing to organize the Olympic Games do not encompass requirements in this regard. To guarantee compliance with the principles of Olympism and with the commitments adopted in Agenda 21, it is important that housing concerns be adequately tackled in all stages of the Committee’s bidding process. 50. Between 2006 and 2007, the previous Special Rapporteur, maintained a fruitful engagement with the Committee, through exchange of correspondence and meetings with representatives of the organization. At meetings in 2007, they addressed the impact of the Olympic Games on the realization of the right to adequate housing and measures to prevent violations. The Committee also collaborated in the preparation of the present report, providing comments and useful information. 2. FIFA 51. Information concerning the selection process of countries to host the FIFA World Cup is not readily available to the general public. The Special Rapporteur unsuccessfully approached FIFA authorities to request information concerning the procedures and regulations involving the organization of the World Cup. From 2006, the previous Special Rapporteur, has sought out FIFA to engage in a dialogue in this respect. Since her appointment in May 2008, the current Special Rapporteur has renewed that invitation on several opportunities; however, no response from the organization, or comments to the present report, have been forthcoming. Given the lack of transparency and accountability of any relevant procedures, it is difficult to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the existing methods and mechanisms, and to identify the good and bad practices of the institution with regard to selection procedures. 54 55 56 Available at the International Olympic Committee website at www.olympic.org. Information provided by the International Olympic Committee. Candidature acceptance procedure. Games of the XXX Olympiad 2012, IOC, Switzerland, 2003; 2012 Candidature Procedure and Questionnaire, IOC, 2004; and Rules of Conduct applicable to all Cities wishing to organize the Olympic Games, op. cit. 15