Hosting a major sporting event costs millions of dollars in evaluating, preparing, and submitting a bid. It also requires a country to adhere to international standards of democratic and free systems.
Popular sports with a global appeal include baseball, basketball, football (soccer), golf and tennis. These events captivate fans around the world through the fast pace and precise swings of athletes.
Economic Impact
Big sporting events often generate economic benefits, including the development of material and soft infrastructure. They also put the host region on the map as a tourist destination and inspire a better entrepreneurial climate.
However, hosting a major sports event is not without cost. Projected budgets rarely cover the true costs of the Games, and a significant portion of the cost is financed with public funds.
In addition, visitor spending boosts local economies by increasing demand for hospitality services. For example, restaurants and hotels in the vicinity of the competition venues see a significant rise in patronage. The same is true for retail and merchandising firms.
However, it is important to note that the change in regional income or production – which is used as an indicator of improved economic welfare – does not necessarily translate into a positive increase in living standards. Moreover, consultants have a tendency to overestimate the multiplier effect. This is partly because they want the events to be as successful as possible.
Social Impact
In addition to boosting economies, major sporting events create social impact that extends well beyond the stadium walls. These events can bring prestige to countries, promoting their image and providing them with a seat at the global table, facilitating trade and commerce. They can also bring a boost in tourism, bringing in revenue and creating jobs for local residents.
The societal impact of sport is an area of growing interest in scientific research. Researchers are examining the potential of international sporting events to facilitate peace and social cohesion in host cities. Find out more when you visit 해외스포츠중계.
While the majority of existing research on the social impact of sporting events focuses on mega sports events, there is increasing interest in studying smaller events and their sustainable development impacts. In particular, researchers are seeking to identify the antecedents of positive and negative perceptions of sustainable development, satisfaction with quality of life, fair social distribution of event benefits and costs and trust in organizers.
Environmental Impact
Since the 1994 Olympics, environmental sustainability has been a major goal of Olympism. The IOC has required that countries seeking to host the Olympics produce strategic environmental assessments that describe energy use, water use, waste generation, sustainable construction, and more.
However, it is difficult to accurately measure the environmental impact of events and their ancillary support systems. Among other things, the transportation of spectators and athletes contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, construction of sports facilities and venues causes land development that can result in deforestation, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss.
The manufacture of sports equipment and merchandise also has potential negative ecological impacts, such as worker exposure to production chemicals. For example, some cricket manufacturers continue to use polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is linked equivocally with testicular cancer and many other health effects, to make the balls and other equipment. Some PVC has even been used to build stadiums and other sporting infrastructure.
Cultural Impact
Whether it’s a local soccer game, neighborhood basketball league or village cricket tournament, sports can bring people together from different countries and cultures. This cultural globalization allows for a deeper understanding and appreciation of other worldviews, while strengthening bonds across socio-economic boundaries.
Sports also have a strong influence on culture by forming national identities, promoting unity and providing venues for societal debates. The Olympic Games, for example, have been used to challenge racial discrimination and promote human rights. The Black Power salute by American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City is another example of how sports can be a powerful political tool.
Hosting major sporting events attracts tourists, boosting the host country’s economy. Investing in infrastructure and securing media rights further contribute to economic growth.