The potential benefits and drawbacks of cities/countries hosting major sporting events
benefits
– investment in developing/improving transport system
– increased direct and indirect tourism
– commercial benefits (e.g. money from sponsors, external investment which would not otherwise have been attracted)
– participation may increase in some sports
– infrastructure/social facilities built can be used by people who live in the area where the events have been held
– sports facilities will be improved or new facilities built
– raise the status of the country/‘shop window effect’
– morale of the country is raised
drawbacks
– bidding to host can be expensive and you may not be awarded the event
– event can cost hosts more than it raises in revenue
– facilities can end up not being used after the event if not planned properly
– can have negative impact on the status of the country if event runs poorly/is disorganised
– while hosting the event will help to promote one area of sport, others may suffer as a consequence
– can cause divisions in the country if the specific area which hosted (e.g. one city) is perceived to have been the only beneficiary