Hosting a sports event can enhance a nation’s soft power and improve its reputation internationally. However, there are also costs associated with hosting events.
Despite recent literature focusing on the leveraging of events for participation legacies, few studies have investigated how event-related community development may be achieved in post-war or post-conflict communities. In this study, residents’ perceptions of a recurrent Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series event in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina are examined.
Social Impact
Hosting a major sports event can be an important symbol of a nation’s status as a global player. This is because it can represent a “seal of approval” from the international community, which may be viewed as an indication that a country’s government and economy are open to business. In addition, hosting a major sporting event can be a way to promote cultural exchange and attract tourists.
While economic benefits are often highlighted, the social impact of hosting a sporting event is less well understood. Research shows that sport events can have a positive social impact by promoting a sense of pride among local residents and creating celebratory atmospheres.
To understand the social impact of a recurring sport event in a city that was recovering from conflict, I conducted an online questionnaire with the city’s inhabitants. Participants were asked to rate 41 different statements on a five-point scale regarding their attitude towards international sport events. A total of 806 complete responses were received.
Economic Impact
Hosting international sports events is a great opportunity for the host country to showcase itself as a business location or tourist destination. It may also help a country build close relations with other countries. However, it is important to weigh the costs and benefits carefully before making a decision to host a sporting event.
Economic impact is defined as the net change in income, expenditure, and tax revenue resulting from an event (Lieber & Alton, 1983). This change can be direct or indirect. Direct effects are purchases made by visitors. Indirect effects are the result of additional rounds of re-spending by individuals who received money from the initial purchases.
The economic benefits of a sport event can be overestimated if leakage is not accounted for. Leakage refers to the amount of revenue that goes to external suppliers or franchisees rather than staying in the local economy to support businesses. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including poor economic models or overly optimistic visitor projections.
Environmental Impact
As a result of their large scale, major sporting events have significant environmental impacts. These include energy consumption, waste management and travel. In addition, the construction of new stadiums and infrastructure have a significant negative impact on the environment. Moreover, the use of artificial snow for winter sports increases CO2 emissions.
Nevertheless, many organizations and sports governing bodies are working to reduce the ecological footprint of their events. They are encouraging fans to attend events using low-emission modes of transportation and promoting sustainable practices in the sport industry. You can find out more at 해외스포츠중계.
The impact of a sporting event on the local environment depends on many different factors, such as the amount of energy consumed, the waste generated and the type of infrastructure built. Residents often perceive these events as positive for the community, while others may see them as a threat to the environment. Despite these efforts, there is no binding law requiring the hosting city to adopt environmentally friendly policies.
Community Impact
Despite being a growing trend to host mega-sporting events, little is known on how these events can be leveraged for community development. Using the social exchange theory, this study seeks to identify the influencing factors of residents’ evaluation and support for hosting an event. The results revealed that the perception of community excitement, cultural and educational benefits, and volunteering opportunities influenced the support intention for staging the event. The analysis also reveals that the support intention differed among the three groups, with the most vitalized group expressing the strongest support for the event.
The findings of this research suggest that in a transitional context with persistent social divisions, international sport events can serve as platforms for fostering a sense of collective pride and enabling blighted communities to develop new positive reputations and identities. These effects can be facilitated by incorporating event components such as promotion, media broadcasting, and an emphasis on festivity, socialization, and fun.
