Sport Politics and the Olympics

Grix, Jonathan

doi:10.1111/1478-9302.12001

Cited by 85 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…In fact, most cities, countries and regions aim to make strategic use of mega-events to develop infrastructure and push urban renewal, often through leveraging funds that would not be available otherwise (Grix, 2013;Hiller, 2000aHiller, , 2000bSmith, 2012). Governing bodies such as the IOC or FIFA encourage such transformative impacts under the label of 'legacy', i.e.…”

Section: Urban Transformationmentioning

confidence: 99%

What makes an event a mega-event? Definitions and sizes

2015

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There is considerable ambiguity about what makes an event a mega-event. Intervening in this debate, this paper develops a definition and classification scheme for mega-events. On the basis of a review of existing definitions, it proposes four constitutive dimensions of mega-events: visitor attractiveness, mediated reach, costs and transformative impact. The paper develops indicators for each dimension and maps onto these four dimensions a sample of the latest editions of nine large events (Expo, Summer and Winter Olympics, Football World Cup, European Football Championship, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games, Universiade). From this, it develops a multi-dimensional, point-based classification scheme of large events according to size, distinguishing between major events, mega-events and the recently emerging class of gigaevents. Concluding, it identifies the need for more systematic data on the size, costs and impacts of a broad range of large-scale events over time.

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Section: Urban Transformationmentioning

confidence: 99%

What makes an event a mega-event? Definitions and sizes

2015

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“…The topic of sport politics and the OG is not new. However, so far scholars have preferred either to discuss theoretical political implication of hosting the OG (Grix, 2013) or to report the relationship between political affiliation of residents and support (Hiller & Wanner, 2011;Zhou & Ap, 2009). Hiller and Wanner (2011) reported that people who supported the Canadian liberal party had delivered more support for the 2010 Winter OG, indicating that support for the Games might have political motivations.…”

Section: Study Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Legacy means something that is transferred to local hosts after the events (Gratton & Preuss, 2008) or something that remains longer than the event (Preuss, 2007). Legacy is frequently 'put forward' to justify the hosting process of the OG, often disregarding the necessity of leveraging strategies (Chalip, 2006;Grix, 2013). In fact, before the event, legacy is merely an exercise of prevision.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Support of politicians for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro

Rocha

2015

Leisure Studies

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The purpose of this research was to explore and describe politicians’ evaluations of the work done by the government, perceptions of legacy and support for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games. The literature has argued that organisers must know in advance the opinion of main stakeholders in order to plan, organise and stage sport mega-events which are going to leave important legacy to the hosts. Considering politicians have privileged information about costs and benefits of sport mega-events, they are more likely than any other group of stakeholders to be able to make rational choices about social exchanges related to such events. Social exchange theory provided the theoretical background to test a structural model, where evaluations of the work done and perceptions of legacy were antecedents of support. Out of 715 politicians, 13 senators, 40 congressmen, six Rio state representatives and five Rio city councillors took part into a survey responding a questionnaire. Controlling for political affiliation of respondents, the tourism legacy was evaluated as the most likely to happen, while the environmental legacy was evaluated as the least likely to stay after the games. Political affiliation affected the evaluation of the work of the government, but not perceptions about positive legacies and support. Overall, politicians’ support depends on evaluations of the work of the government and perceptions of legacy

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“…Another critique of mega-events (and their 'suspicious' affair with the leverage paradigm and sustainable development) is that they are vehicles of the neoliberal doctrine deliberately mandated to serve the interests of elites and corporations through acceleration of globalisation and accumulation of capital (Grix, 2013;Horne & Whannel, 2012;Sugden & Tomlinson, 2012). This ideological driver has intensified the use of mega-events as spectacles and commodities (Debord, 1967) in a global scale reproducing inequalities and marginalisation of weaker groups while also exacerbating the problem of mega-events' pseudo-authenticity due to the prevalence of political interests, over-commercialisation and inexorable modernisation pressures (Boorstin, 1961).…”

Section: From Contested Legacies To Sustainable Benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

For the benefit of all? Developing a critical perspective in mega-event leverage

Ziakas

2014

Leisure Studies

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The purpose of this article is to bring to light the need for developing a critical leveraging perspective on mega-events and propose a research agenda that extends the focus of the leverage concept towards this direction. Current research on leverage focuses on the attainment and magnification of mega-event outcomes. A critical lens of inquiry however is needed to move forward and take into account the influence of power structures and social ordering processes on developing and implementing strategic leveraging programmes. Such a perspective can help examine if and how the benefits of mega-events are fairly delivered to host communities, equally distributed among stakeholders and then sustained, while negative impacts are minimised. Ten research themes are brought forward to help build a robust ground for a critical megaevent leveraging perspective.

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Sport Politics and the Olympics

Cited by 85 publications

References 37 publications

What makes an event a mega-event? Definitions and sizes

What makes an event a mega-event? Definitions and sizes

Support of politicians for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro

For the benefit of all? Developing a critical perspective in mega-event leverage

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