A/HRC/32/33 V. Obligations of non-State actors regarding sport and healthy lifestyles and the right to health 85. Although non-State actors do not directly accrue obligations under the right to health as expressed in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, they nevertheless incur indirect responsibilities regarding realization of the right. Strong leadership from non-State actors through the incorporation of human rights standards into operations pertaining to sport and healthy lifestyles is important in promoting realization of the right to health. 86. Civil society organizations and national human rights institutions should advocate for the inclusion of sport and healthy lifestyles in relevant national policies, and should ensure that the voices of marginalized and excluded groups, including children, are part of the policy-making process. National human rights institutions can also assist States through information-gathering, monitoring and evaluation. 87. Private entities, including transnational corporations, should ensure that their operations do not undermine the realization of individual health rights. In particular, companies that produce tobacco, food or beverages should abide by industry- or Government-led regulations on marketing products to children in the sporting context. Companies involved in major sporting events must also ensure that their operations meet human rights standards, and must fully implement the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights69 — a responsibility shared with international sporting bodies. 88. A number of entities involved in the organization and operation of major sporting events and competitions incur indirect rights obligations: the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and the Fédération internationale de football association (FIFA), among others. These bodies have a vital role to play in implementing policies and activities aimed at realizing the right to health in the sporting context. Enhancement of protection of the human rights of athletes should not be perceived as a threat to the continued operation of major events but rather as a means of increasing the confidence of athletes and the public in the integrity of sporting institutions. 70 89. It is encouraging that human rights are increasingly emphasized in the operations of these organizations, for instance through the International Olympic Committee code of ethics. The recent appointment of an independent human rights expert to review the policies of FIFA in relation to the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is encouraging,71 as is the implementation by FIFA in 2010 of regulations on the status and transfer of players. However, more must be done to ensure that the right to health of athletes participating in these events is secured, particularly that of children. 90. Moreover, broader human rights concerns exist in regard to major sporting events, including health risks faced by workers on major event infrastructure projects, such as high rates of avoidable morbidity and mortality. 91. Given the human rights violations occurring in the context of these events, and evidence that the interest generated by mega sporting events and professional sport does not appear to translate into mass participation in sport or physical activity, 72 more should be 69 70 71 72 20 See A/HRC/17/31. Paulo David, Human Rights in Youth Sport. FIFA, “FIFA to further develop its human rights approach with international expert John Ruggie” (14 December 2015). Pedro Hallal and others, “Physical activity: more of the same is not enough”, The Lancet, vol. 380, No. 9838.