Hosting mega-sport events, expectations and perceptions: A review

Abstract

It appears that government leaders and sports administrators across cultures generally perceive global games and mega sports events as a major catalyst for socio-economic-economic advancement, cultural revival, infrastructural renewal and tourism development. It is against this background that this article attempts to review body of texts in forms of: essays, scientific journal articles, books and other publications that investigate, discuss and interpret host countries/ communities/residents` perceptions, opinions and attitudes towards global sporting events, with specific reference to the Olympics and FIFA finals. Based on secondary sources, the article by means of descriptive approach, contrasts, comparesand evaluates major theories, controversies, debates/arguments, methodologies in the studies of perception about global games and sporting events in the last two decades. The review suggests that there were extremely limited instances of negative perceptions, but mostly positive perceptions across the globe. The findings criss-cross pre-fiesta and post-event attitudes towards selected mega-sport festivals. In conclusion, results of the studies reviewed with reference to FIFA 2010 World Cup did not differ from the global trend.

Key words: Mega-sport events, perceptions, Olympics, FIFA World Cup, 2010 World Cup, South Africa.