This article examines the growing attraction of governments, North and South, to the hosting of
“second order” sport mega-events (below the level of the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup) as
a key dimension of their international relations. It is argued that, notwithstanding a growing body
of sophisticated, critical scholarship on such events, their benefits continue to be chronically
oversold and their opportunity costs minimized or overlooked. Their growing popularity
therefore presents a puzzle that can be partly accounted for by the appeal and usefulness of
such events as a strategic response to conditions of globalisation. Indeed, in the final analysis
there are perfectly understandable reasons for the continued popularity of such event-centred
strategies, and potential benefits to be derived from them. Nevertheless, both public officials and
concerned citizens need to be more alert to their pitfalls, and should give more careful
consideration to their opportunity costs and to alternative strategies. These arguments are
illustrated with reference to Halifax, Canada’s aborted bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
↧