[article]SAFEST TOURNEY
In the lead-up to the World Cup, there was an abundance of press-slamming of Qatar. It was viewed as a dangerous place to travel. Friends joked, “Don’t get stoned!” and they weren’t talking about drugs. Qatar has been hands-down, the safest World Cup I have attended.
South Africa started with attacks on media hotel rooms until FIFA sped up the justice system and alleged criminals were locked up immediately. In Brazil, I took my shoes off to juggle a ball and they instantly disappeared. My cellphone was taken from my restaurant table while I was eating. I walked through the favelas and met state security-type police who told me a gay tourist was murdered. It wasn’t even news because so many other shenanigans were erupting. We ducked later on into a forest as shots rang out. Thousands of fans scattered in all directions on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro during Germany’s thrashing of the host nation’s team after someone fired a gun. In Russia, everyone was on their best behaviour but it was a reaction to intimidation from security officials. There were swarms of soldiers with machine guns on every corner. It didn’t exactly feel safe.
Qatar has been casual and way less threatening. They brought in police from other nations (mostly Pakistan) but their presence has been tame. All of the stadiums and transportation links are very well organized, although we still have had to walk a ton. We are politely ushered along through labyrinths. A Canadian fan clocked that we are trekking 12–20 kilometres a day, depending on if you’re attending one or two matches. It feels like we’re training for the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
Supporters of various competing nations have been easygoing, even after matches like the U.S.-Iran battle. Perhaps everyone is too exhausted to fight or cause trouble. The lack of alcohol likely also plays a factor in the fun but friendly atmosphere. People are enjoying themselves but there has been none of the brawls or drunken chaos commonly associated with football fans.
The family I’m staying with never locks their house or car. Apparently, no one does.
— Carrie Serwetnyk
[/article]
Not to ignore the human rights violations in Qatar and the need for continuing reforms, but I thought this perspective on safety was interesting compared to other recent hosts.
In the lead-up to the World Cup, there was an abundance of press-slamming of Qatar. It was viewed as a dangerous place to travel. Friends joked, “Don’t get stoned!” and they weren’t talking about drugs. Qatar has been hands-down, the safest World Cup I have attended.
South Africa started with attacks on media hotel rooms until FIFA sped up the justice system and alleged criminals were locked up immediately. In Brazil, I took my shoes off to juggle a ball and they instantly disappeared. My cellphone was taken from my restaurant table while I was eating. I walked through the favelas and met state security-type police who told me a gay tourist was murdered. It wasn’t even news because so many other shenanigans were erupting. We ducked later on into a forest as shots rang out. Thousands of fans scattered in all directions on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro during Germany’s thrashing of the host nation’s team after someone fired a gun. In Russia, everyone was on their best behaviour but it was a reaction to intimidation from security officials. There were swarms of soldiers with machine guns on every corner. It didn’t exactly feel safe.
Qatar has been casual and way less threatening. They brought in police from other nations (mostly Pakistan) but their presence has been tame. All of the stadiums and transportation links are very well organized, although we still have had to walk a ton. We are politely ushered along through labyrinths. A Canadian fan clocked that we are trekking 12–20 kilometres a day, depending on if you’re attending one or two matches. It feels like we’re training for the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
Supporters of various competing nations have been easygoing, even after matches like the U.S.-Iran battle. Perhaps everyone is too exhausted to fight or cause trouble. The lack of alcohol likely also plays a factor in the fun but friendly atmosphere. People are enjoying themselves but there has been none of the brawls or drunken chaos commonly associated with football fans.
The family I’m staying with never locks their house or car. Apparently, no one does.
— Carrie Serwetnyk
[/article]
Not to ignore the human rights violations in Qatar and the need for continuing reforms, but I thought this perspective on safety was interesting compared to other recent hosts.
