Some of the most magnificent and complicated events include mega sports events like the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, and the Commonwealth Games, where athletes from across the world come either to participate or to watch the events and the same is reflected by the media where millions of viewership can be seen. These games are also mega in terms of the sheer size of the millions of participants, viewership, and the logistical and infrastructural needs they place on host countries and cities (Horne and Manzenreiter, 2006). These events’ backgrounds and contexts are as rich and varied as the sports they promote. The sports are only products of rich exploration of ambition, cultural exchange, and excellence unrelated to athletic rivalry. Since mega sports events have been instrumental in promoting internationalism and building harmony and tranquility in nations, they have always been dynamic and not static. The contemporary revival of the Olympic Games by Pierre de Coubertin in 1896 originates from using the games to promote physical education, celebrate sporting excellence, and encourage exchanges between countries (Rider and Llewellyn, 2015). This peace and international spirit characteristic of the Olympics and other mega sports events is still its basic philosophy, where the sport is intended to break the cultural and political barriers people, countries, or societies may have through the global language of sport.
Over the years, these events have meant so much more than sporting championships; they have emerged as great development avenues on both social and economic fronts. A host country and city usually see the chance to host such an event as a golden medal to increase their global reputation, present their cultural and social identity, and promote different development agendas. A range of activities in a preparatory phase that precedes the events, like the construction of modern sports facilities and infrastructure development, can positively impact the local economy by increasing tourism and stimulating job creation, among others (Knott and Tinaz, 2022). Nevertheless, it should be noted that the environment of hosting major sports events is also replete with glaring uncertainties and discontentment. Huge hosting expenses such as infrastructure development, construction of stadiums, infrastructure development, security, and many others can overwhelm host cities and nations. The economic benefits often cease to be the significant issue as the costly hosting expenses come into play and overwhelm the financial benefits. The legacy of many of these events is a controversial discourse that has led to several cases of ‘white elephants,’ whereby the facilities that were set up became underutilized, abandoned, or destroyed, consequently raising issues of sustainability investment (Cerezo-Esteve et al., 2022). The social impact that results in cases of people’s displacement for the establishment of mega-construction projects and increased security concerns raise ethical and human
Mega sports events have also gained a significant context in the bid to improve environmental sustainability. The ecological footprint of these events, including the development of facilities, high pollution levels, and increased waste generation, continues rising, triggering the need for green initiatives. Organizing committees and international sports federations have started implementing sustainability into their bid and planning processes to minimize the environmental footprint and leave a good legacy (Cerezo-Esteve et al., 2022). On the other hand, the bidding process for host cities and nations, while in itself a sophisticated and competitive environment, requires extensive pitches that articulate proposals for infrastructure, accommodation arrangements, transport systems, and environmental sustainability, among other elements. This has been criticized for lack of openness and tendency to suffer corruption; hence, reforms and appeals for responsibility and integrity in decision-making. The legacy of mega sports teaches the potential host cities and nations what they want to be remembered for in the future and the legacy they would like to leave, whether positive or negative (Hamurcu and Eren, 2020). Although the attraction of national pride on the global stage and the promise of economic and social growth are enticing, past example teaches that careful consideration, sustainability, and benefit-sharing that focuses on the community’s well-being, in the long run, is essential. The settings of mega sports events lay bare a vibrant interplay between the traits rendering ambition, cultural trade, financial advancement, and the challenges of sustainability and legally righteous rule. These events continue to change accordingly, as they mirror the contemporary trends and values of the host communities, challenging the importance of the legacy bequest as a total assurance of the obligation of the organizers (Parra-Camacho et al., 2023). It is necessary to present this rich and complex background to understand more fully why mega sports events can affect the world stage.
Within the realm of significant sports events, the term “legacy” pertains to the enduring effects and advantages that these events confer upon the host city, region, or country well beyond the conclusion of the closing ceremony. The legacies might manifest as visible assets, such as infrastructure, facilities, and economic prosperity, or intangible aspects, like social cohesiveness, national pride, and worldwide prestige (Haferkamp and Smelser, 2020). The importance of legacy rests in its ability to bring about profound changes in host communities that go well beyond the duration of the event to generate long-lasting beneficial impacts that support the sustainable development of the host region. The objective of examining the heritage of large-scale sporting events is to evaluate and comprehend thoroughly the diverse consequences they generate. This entails assessing whether the events have successfully fulfilled their obligations of delivering enduring benefits to the local communities, identifying the factors contributing to the creation and execution of legacies, and recognizing the challenges and hazards that can lead to unfavorable outcomes (Leask et al., 2019). The objective is to document these impacts and provide insightful observations and lessons for future host cities and countries, ensuring that the planning and execution of such events correspond with broader development goals and lead to positive and long-lasting results.
The purpose and the aim of the study
The objective is to discern and classify the diverse legacies of significant sporting events, encompassing economic, infrastructural, social, cultural, and environmental ramifications.
- a) To assess the efficacy of historical and present host cities and nations’ legacy planning and implementation efforts.
- b) To assess the enduring effects of these occurrences on the communities that host them, evaluating whether they have resulted in sustainable development.
- c) To comprehend the difficulties and barriers that may impede the achievement of favorable outcomes.
- d) To optimize the advantages and minimize the disadvantages of hosting large-scale sporting events, it is essential to offer suggestions to future hosts based on the lessons acquired from past events.
Through a comprehensive analysis, this study seeks to enhance our understanding of how mega sports events can be utilized to achieve long-lasting good outcomes. The findings will provide valuable insights for future policy and planning in international sports event management.
References
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Hamurcu, M. and Eren, T. (2020). Strategic Planning Based on Sustainability for Urban Transportation: An Application to Decision-Making. Sustainability, 12(9), p.3589. doi https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093589.
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