www.cognizantcommunication.com 227 ticipation, and a social legacy of enhanced volunteering. This article focuses on the latter and in particular the changes in volunteering behavior 3 months after volunteering at a mega-sport event. Getz (2007) indicated that mega-events are of a particular size and significance that set them apart from other events and, further, may be defined as those that "are typically global in their orientation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare motivations of volunteers at two mega multi-sport events. Design/methodology/approach – The research used a quantitative research design to survey volunteers at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (n=2,066) and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (n=11,451) via an online questionnaire based upon the Special Event Volunteer Motivation Scale. Findings – The results indicate that the volunteers, most of whom had previously volunteered, were motivated by similar variables, including the uniqueness of the event, the desire to make it a success and to give back to their community. The results of the principal components analysis indicated that most items of the scale loaded onto similar components across the two research contexts. Research limitations/implications – There were methodological limitations in terms of the timing of the questionnaire administration and Likert scales used, however, these issues were controlled by gatekeepers. These limitations could have research implication for comparative studies of volunteers at mega events. Practical implications – Understanding volunteer motivations will enable event managers and volunteer managers to plan for legacy. Social implications – Volunteer motivations include wanting to give back to their community and therefore, increases the potential for volunteer legacy. Originality/value – This is the first research that: enables comparison of winter and summer Olympic and Paralympic Games volunteers; has substantial sample sizes in relation to the variables; applies higher item loadings to strengthen the analysis; and involves the use of the same instrument across events.

High speeds in snowsports have been associated with both the affective appeal as well as the risk of injury. Previous research of speeds of snowsport participants have been recorded on limited terrain or a single run using static radar guns or speed cameras. However, from a resort design and management perspective, more information is needed about areas of potential risk where there are a variety of users, skill levels, and speed. This exploratory research seeks to understand the actual and perceived distance and speeds traveled by a variety of snowsport participants over their day’s participation as well in resort-designated “slow zones.” A convenience sample of expert and recreational participants was recruited in a Western Canadian resort during the 2010–2011 season. A GPS-based data-logging device recorded speed, distance, duration, and location. Participants completed a questionnaire covering demographics, perceptions of maximum speed and distance traveled, and recommended speeds in slow zones. Data was collected over 102 sessions for alpine skiers, snowboarders, and telemarkers who traveled >4.5 km during their data-collection period: age range 9–80 years (x¯ = 42.0), 39.8 % females and 67.6 % advanced/expert. Total skiing/boarding time logged was 497 h (17 min–7 h, 38 min, x¯ = 4 h, 52 min) covering 4475 km (x¯ = 43.87 km). Estimates of distance traveled was 3–100 km (x¯ = 33.70 km, SD = 21.98 km). Maximum speeds recorded were 20.2–108.5 km/h (x¯ = 62.06 km/h); all but two recorded maximum speeds >23 km/h. Estimated maximum speeds ranged from 1–100 km/h (x¯ = 50.82 km/h). A paired sample t-test of estimated and actual maximum speeds was significant (p = .000). Participants’ recommendation for speeds in slow zones ranged from 5 to 60 km/h (x¯ = 23.8 km/h, mode = 30 km/h). Participants were generally unaware of the distances they traveled and the maximum speeds achieved, with most traveling in slow zones at speeds greater than their own recommendations.

Despite volunteers being essential for the success of many mega sport events, there is little known about what motivates them to volunteer at such events. This study aims to address this gap. This article commences by developing getz's event portfolio into a new expanded sport event typology. It continues by presenting the results to three key questions: (1) who is volunteering? (2) what are their motivations for volunteering, and (3) what variables are most likely to be related to their intention to volunteer after the event. The study used an adaptation of the Special Event Volunteer Motivation Scale on volunteers at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic winter games. A principal components analysis of the 36 motivation items identified six factors that accounted for 58.3% of the variance, with the main factor entitled "All about the games." A regression analysis conducted to identify those variables most likely to indicate an intention to volunteer more after the games demonstrated that those who could see an advantage in more volunteering pregames were most likely to intend to increase their level of volunteering postgames. People with previous volunteering experience in events, sport, or community groups were less likely to indicate they would volunteer more after the event. The results and recommendations have implications for megamultisport event organizing committees not just in respect of event delivery but in terms of a postevent volunteer legacy.

This research explored associations between helmet use and head injuries in snowsports by investigating reported snowsport injuries in Western Canada from 2008-2009 to 2012-2013. The key finding was that increased helmet use (from 69% to 80%) was not associated with a reduction in reported head injuries. Over the study period, the average rate of reported head injuries was 0.2/1000 skier visits, with a statistically significant variation (P < 0.001). The line of best fit showed an non-significant upward trend (P = 0.13). Lacerations were the only subcategory of head injuries that decreased significantly with helmet use. A higher proportion of people who reported a head injury were wearing a helmet than for injuries other than to the head. Skiers were more likely to report a head injury when wearing a helmet than snowboarders (P < 0.001 cf. P = 0.22). There were significant differences in characteristics of helmet and non-helmet wearers. Helmet wearers were more likely to be: young adults (P < 0.001); beginner/novices (P = 0.004); and snowboarders (P < 0.001), but helmet wearing was not associated with gender (P = 0.191). Further research is needed to explore the possible reasons for the failure of helmets to reduce head injuries, for example, increased reporting of head injuries and increased risk-taking combined with over-rating of the helmets' protection.