Miguel Ángel Mujica: In all organizations there are management problems; it is impossible for Santiago 2023 to be the exception

Miguel Ángel Mujica, president of the Chilean Olympic Committee, addressed the ongoing challenges surrounding the Santiago 2023 Games during a recent interview with El Deportivo. He acknowledged that management issues are inevitable in all organizations, stating, “In all organizations there are problems of management; it is impossible that Santiago 2023 was an exception.” His remarks came amid growing scrutiny over financial discrepancies and legal actions against the Corporation Santiago 2023, which was responsible for organizing the games. The controversy has centered on allegations of mismanagement and misuse of public funds, prompting the Ministry of Public Works (Minvu) to raise concerns and the Ministry of Sports (Mindep) to file complaints with judicial authorities. The Corporation Santiago 2023, which operated under a special legal structure, faced criticism over its financial reporting and administrative decisions. As part of this process, the Ministry of Public Prosecution launched an investigation into potential violations of public resource usage laws. Mujica, who served as one of two representatives of the Chilean Olympic Committee within the Corporation Santiago 2023, emphasized the need for clarity regarding the circumstances behind these alleged irregularities. He noted that while some discrepancies might stem from incomplete documentation rather than wrongdoing, others could indicate poor judgment or even criminal behavior. “It is essential that investigations distinguish between different situations,” he said. “Some may involve mere procedural lapses, while others could constitute crimes.” The situation has also affected relations between the Olympic Committee and government officials. Mujica expressed confidence in the new sports minister, Francisco Riveros, whom he described as “very cordial and well-prepared.” They have met several times since Riveros took office, and Mujica stated that they expect his administration to support high-performance sports initiatives. “We have told him that our committee and the federations will provide full support,” he added. Meanwhile, discussions continue with the National Service for Industrial Property (Serviu) regarding the rental agreement for the Cerrillos site, which was used for training facilities during the games. The Olympic Committee has submitted a request to maintain the lease, and together with Riveros, they are working to address concerns raised by the Ministry of Public Works affecting nearby residents. Mujica hopes for a resolution soon, saying, “I hope we can soon have good news.” The ongoing legal proceedings include multiple labor disputes and supplier-related cases still pending. While Mujica declined to comment directly on these matters due to the current judicial inquiry, he reiterated that the Olympic Committee’s involvement in the Corporation Santiago 2023 was limited, with only two members among nine directors. He stressed that the committee consistently voiced its opinions, even when they differed from the majority. Regarding the future, Mujica confirmed that Chile’s bid for the Youth Olympics remains active. However, the International Olympic Committee has yet to release new dates for the application process. “Our candidacy is ready and prepared for when the time comes to make the final presentation,” he said. “We hope it will be soon.” As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public resources for large-scale sporting events. With the outcomes potentially influencing how such projects are managed in the future, the case of Santiago 2023 continues to shape discussions around governance and oversight in Chilean sports policy.