The Sustainability of Mega Events: Economic and Social Perspectives

This essay delves into the multifaceted issue of mega-event sustainability, examining the economic and social impacts associated with hosting large-scale events like the Olympics and World Cup. The introduction establishes the increasing prevalence of these events and the complexities countries face in deciding whether to bid for them, highlighting the need for infrastructure and facilities. The main body explores the controversies surrounding mega-events, questioning whether their sustainability is a myth, and analyzes both positive and negative impacts. Positive effects include contributions to GDP, infrastructure development, job creation, tourism promotion, and increased foreign direct investment. Negative impacts encompass economic burdens, environmental damage, social displacement, increased pollution, and security risks. The essay also considers the aftermath of mega-events, discussing the potential for unused infrastructure, economic downturns, and social issues. The conclusion summarizes the findings, asserting that the sustainability of mega-events is a complex issue with significant risks and potential consequences for host cities and countries.

Sustainability of mega
Events

Table of Contents
Essay................................................................................................................................................1
Introduction..................................................................................................................................1
Main body....................................................................................................................................1
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

Essay
Introduction
In today’s era, there has been high rise in big events such as Olympics, World cup, etc. it
has allowed countries to think in depth whether to host such a big event or not. This is because in
recent times, it is very difficult for countries to host big events (Vanwynsberghe, 2015). It
requires a proper infrastructure and large number of facilities. From past years it has been
analyzed that hosting of big event has become a hot issue for sports industry. They have to think
and research about countries economic, social, legal, etc. conditions. Many countries get
involved in bidding process to get a chance in hosting big event. But they do not get chance due
to some problems or issues prevailing.
Main body
There arises a question that whether the sustainability of mega event is really a myth or
not? there is no definite answer of this. Big events like Football World cup, Olympics, etc. and
other comes in every four years. Th related committee or international agencies decides which
country will host it. for this they ask countries to bid for it. this is very long process to select the
best host country because success of event highly depends on it. the main aim for hosting event
is to generate growth of economy (Taks, Chalip and Green, 2015). but from past years there has
been many controversies involved in hosting an event worldwide.
When a country host event it creates a great impact on its entire economy. the impact can
be either positive or negative. So, this has been a major concern for countries to bid for it.
moreover, it has become difficult to cities to make mega event sustainable. This is because such
type of events are one time. the city has to deal with critical consequences before and after
happening of event. For example – while hosting FIFA World Cup 2014, there was many
protests occurred within Brazil. The people were against mega event. The reason was country
was underdeveloped and poor people have to suffer a lot. The government were not providing
necessity things for poor people. Instead they were highly focused on making event successful.
In addition to this, poverty was also a main reason. This negatively impacted on economic
situation of country as government invested large amount of funds in building infrastructure
within country. this protest became headline worldwide. It forced agencies to focus on
organizing events in developed countries.
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Another example can be taken of India when in 2010 they hosted commonwealth games
in Delhi. For this preparation was done at large level (Schofield, Rhind and Blair, 2018).
government spent huge funds in building infrastructure. But after sometime it was found that the
expenses were much more than expected. In an investigation done by CAG, serious corruption
by officials of the Games' Organising Committee, delays in the construction of main Games'
venues, infrastructural compromise. It was found that Sports minister was involved in case of
corruption. The overall cost was triple than estimated. There was no legal action taken. Also, a
committee was formed to investigate on this matter. But nothing was done to recover cost.
Despite the fact that almost one third population lives below poverty line, India hosted it. there
was also a negative impact on environment as 400000 people were relocated from there place.
There are both positive and negative impact of hosting mega event. This depends on
nature and type of event (Advantage and disadvantage of hosting mega events. 2015). Also, the
level of impact depends on country overall condition. Hence, it is necessary to analyze impact so
that effective decision can be taken whether to host event or not. The impacts are described as
below :-
Positive impact
1. Hosting of mega event is a big opportunity for city as it helps in contributing in GDP in
many ways. Through this, profitability of city raises. Thus, the profits raised from it can
be used in giving economic benefits to people. For example, cities like Beijing, Sydney,
etc. hosted Olympics and got high rise in their GDP.
2. First is it helps in building infrastructure is a long term investment for city. As mega
event requires infra and transport to cater facilities. It can be used to attract large number
of tourists (Marin-Aguilar and Vila-López, 2014.). For instance, there has been a wide
connectivity in public transport of London. This is improved its transportation system.
3. Hosting of event brings in huge investment and creates large number of jobs. It helps in
reducing unemployment within city. Furthermore, it results in short term economic
investment.
4. Another impact large number of people visits country. this helps in promoting tourism as
well. This leads to high growth in tourism sector. moreover, people get to know about
culture, ecosystem about country.
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5. It also attracts many businesses and companies to sponsor event. in this way, they invest
in country by collaborating with local firms. Thus, in this way FDI is increased. Hence, it
is an effective way of attracting foreign companies to help in contributing growth of city.
Negative impact
1. The major impact is on economic condition of country. Government have to invest huge
capital on organizing event. This increases burden on country financial situation. Due to
this basic need of people are not fulfilled.
2. The biodiversity is also highly impacted as construction has to be done. It creates
imbalance in ecosystem. In this large area of land is cleaned for infra.
3. The government is not able to focus on areas where high level of improvements is
required. in this poor people are highly impacted. They have to sacrifice their property
and social life (Grix, Brannagan and Houlihan, 2015). Also, they are not given proper
facilities by government. This results in rise in more poverty.
4. Due to construction and other activities related to preparation of mega events it results in
rise in pollution level. this leads to increase in level of pollution. Moreover, no control
measures are taken aby government to control it as it result in affecting event.
5. There is high risk of security threat. It means that increase in number of visitors can result
in security threat. It can lead to violence, terrorism activities, etc. or any other unethical
activities.
Aftermath of event
As discussed above the mega events are one time event. So, the aftermath of such event
can be drastic for city. It is not beneficial for city to host mega event. First of all the
infrastructure built such as stadiums, practice arena, etc. are of no use. Also, after incurring huge
capital there is high pressure on government to focus on other areas of growth and development.
After mega event there is downfall in economic growth. Many other areas have to be taken into
consideration (Grix and Houlihan, 2014). Usually, tax rates are increased by government to
overcome expenditure. Sometime, cost of estimation is more so government have to invest from
some other sources. In addition to this, it is not possible for city to maintain ecosystem after
event. it is highly affected leading to rise in disease and impacting on physical health of people.
the venue which is occupied for hosting event can not be used for providing some other public
facilities. They remain unused for long time and becomes debt for government. For instance,
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stadiums made in Brazil are still not used for welfare of people. It can be evaluated that if costs
are incurred more than expected, it fluctuates entire economy. this might lead to increase in
inflation rate as well.
Another aftermath of mega event is after short term employment people become
unemployed again. They need to find new jobs (Vanwynsberghe, 2015). Moreover, poor people
are not reallocated to place. If there occurs in any mis happening like terrorist attacks, it can
result in failure of event. this will create a huge burden on economy of city. Apart from it,
reputation will be damaged worldwide as well. City will not be able to retain its image again.
Henceforth, it can be stated that hosting of any mega event can lead to critical aftermath.
Conclusion
From essay it can be summarized that sustainability of mega event is really a myth. This
is because hosting an event involves a high risk. It can create either positive or negative impact
on city. The positive are raise in profits, long term investment, creates jobs, etc. and negative
impact is short term use, cost of security, etc. high tax, etc. the aftermath of mega event are
infrastructure built becomes debt for government, ecosystem is highly affected leading to rise in
disease and impacting on physical health of people.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Grix, J. and Houlihan, B., 2014. Sports mega-events as part of a nation's soft power strategy:
the cases of Germany (2006) and the UK (2012). The British journal of politics and international
relations, 16(4), pp.572-596.
Grix, J., Brannagan, P.M. and Houlihan, B., 2015. Interrogating states’ soft power
strategies: a case study of sports mega-events in Brazil and the UK. Global society, 29(3),
pp.463-479.
Schofield, E., Rhind, D.J. and Blair, R., 2018. Human rights and sports mega-events: The
role of moral disengagement in spectators. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 42(1), pp.3-22.
T. Marin-Aguilar, J. and Vila-López, N., 2014. How can mega events and ecological
orientation improve city brand attitudes?. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality
Management, 26(4), pp.629-652.
Taks, M., Chalip, L. and Green, B.C., 2015. Impacts and strategic outcomes from non-mega
sport events for local communities. European sport management quarterly, 15(1), pp.1-6.
Vanwynsberghe, R., 2015. The Olympic Games Impact (OGI) study for the 2010 Winter
Olympic Games: Strategies for evaluating sport mega-events’ contribution to
sustainability. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 7(1), pp.1-18.
Online
Advantage and disadvantage of hosting mega events. 2015. [online] Available Through : <
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:wHrt0F6l8gsJ:https://
www.economicshelp.org/blog/4909/economics/advantages-of-hosting-a-major-event/
+&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in>
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