Government Support Flashcards
Key areas of gvmt support
Push factors
Pull factors
Soft power
What are the two push factors?
- Size and scale of an event requires central gvmt support
- International federations requirements
- more common for IFs to require explicit political support for gvmt
- gvmt underwriting costs or other promises of security (London 2012) or tax (CL final)
What is the gvmt required to do for IOC bids?
National gvmt must sign binding document agreeing to comply to IOC rules
What are the 2 pull factors?
- Showcasing city/region
Gvmt sees an opportunity to showcase a country or region and deliver a range of benefits - Product of political regime
1936 Berlin: nazi
2000 Sydney: n&s korea marched together
2008 Beijing: China to show advancements off to the world
What is soft power?
Ability to attract and co-opt others to want what you want
Soft power and sports bidding
Bidding for and hosting sports events becomes a diplomatic strategy
Quote Nye on soft power in nuclear age
Nye (1990) argues risk associated with more traditional military power has greatly enhanced in the nuclear age
Example for why gvmt support is important
Sheffield City Council - world student games 1991
Largest multi sport event in the UK since London 1948
Initial costs for Sheffield 1991
£25m to run event
£20-30m to set up infrastructure
Actual costs for Sheffield 1991
£21m to run event
£147m for infrastructure
2001 reported debts - Sheffield 1991
£147m = £25m per year
+ high interest rates
= £780 million overall cost vs. £55m
2011 reported debts - Sheffield 1991
£650m and only half paid
2024 expected pay off - £30m a year
Don Valley and ponds forge make £6m a year income
3 key conclusions for central gvmt support
Gvmt support must be justified by proper analysis of the extent to which events are a means towards other ends
Little point in investing in major events if there is no broader support for grass-roots development
National gvmt should play a lead rather than support role
