Politicians’ perspective on the community-related impacts of major sports events – a case study for Innsbruck-Tyrol |
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| Authors: | Martin Schnitzer Sabrina Scheiber Elmar Kornexl Erich Thöni |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria;2. Department of Public Finance, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria |
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| Abstract: | While scholarly attention with respect to the social impacts of sports events has increased in recent years, there is still little research discussing the wide-ranging community-related impacts stemming particularly from major sports events. Local political leaders, as (elected) representatives of the community, are important stakeholders within this context and face the challenge of balancing diverse interests in the implementation of major sports events. The purpose of this study is to assess the importance politicians attribute to event impacts that create sustainable outcomes for residents living in a host city. Based on a content analysis, a list of general event impacts (outputs and legacies) produced by major sports events was created and subsequently discussed with scholars and experts in the field to classify the criteria as community relevant or not. A final number of 56 criteria (34 of which are considered community relevant) was then used in the assessment of the politicians’ (representing either the State of Tyrol or the City of Innsbruck) attitude towards these impacts. The findings of the study indicate that, though aware of community interests, politicians nevertheless prioritize economic and touristic benefits for the host city/region such as place marketing. Moreover, politicians seem to have a better understanding of tangible impacts (e.g. infrastructure), underestimating the important intangible impacts (e.g. voluntariness) closely related to community issues. Thus, the research in hand outlines the need to sensitize governments to community interests when planning and implementing major sports events. |
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| Keywords: | Event impacts local government community development stakeholder major sports events |
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