South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ came at a time when the position as host of a high-profile mega-event has become a sought-after status for countries worldwide. Not only do these events hold the promise of extensive triple-bottom-line legacies, but they also offer an extremely powerful destination marketing platform. However, no destination is guaranteed success and sustainable competitiveness by being offered the once-off opportunity to host a major international event. This study focuses on the ways and measures in which mega-events can contribute to destination competitiveness in its entirety as depicted in a popular model of tourism destination competitiveness. Existing literature on destination competitiveness and mega-events, as well as comparative case studies of recent mega-events were explored to furnish a set of apparent key success factors for the sustainable hosting of mega-events. This set of factors was then tested within a case study context through the collection of primary and secondary qualitative data. Industry experts from both the tourism and events industries in the City of Tshwane were interviewed on the eve of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. In addition, strategic documents and other secondary data were investigated to form an understanding of the role of the event as a potential catalyst for destination development. The City’s competitiveness was evaluated before the event, and compared to an evaluation of its perceived competitiveness as a result of the event. Based on the findings, a set of five critical success factors was developed. It includes the need to address eventsm as a strategic destination priority; effective stakeholder identification and role clarification; resource management for the event; alignment of the event strategy with the overall destination marketing strategy; and pro-actively addressing environmental issues. These factors are presented within a timeframe before, during and after the actual event. Through the proposed framework, it may be possible to manage the hosting of events in such a way as to contribute to sustained, holistic competitiveness of the host destination; ensuring alignment with the overall destination marketing and management strategy. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Tourism Management / unrestricted

Increased international competitiveness to host sport mega-events indicates their perceived value in stimulating regional and national economic, social and cultural development. In the context of broader governmental public opinion management strategies, sport mega-events hold the potential to mobilize soft power resources of the host country, expressed in values, culture and policies, and engage with and influence the publics of other countries. This thesis investigates the significance of sport mega-events for the host country’s public diplomacy strategies and practice by exploring the concepts of public diplomacy, sport mega-events, soft power and national image within a multi-disciplinary conceptual framework. The analysis of scholarly literature, official and media reports reveals how aspects of reputation, credibility, and legitimacy guide both foreign public opinion and the practice of public diplomacy in conjunction with sport mega-events. Moreover, international reputation of the host nation, including status, prestige and image, appeared to benefit the most as a result of strategic application of sport mega-events to public diplomacy. This can be achieved by proving functional reputation though demonstration of financial and organizational success. Alternatively, social reputation of the host is at risk of sustaining considerable damage as a result of resistance from social activists groups, thus requiring extensive damage control efforts of the host country's image. The conclusions drawn from this study raise significant questions about the potential of sport mega-events being effectively used for public diplomacy and the experience of the host governments, revealing functional competence as having the greatest potential to influence public diplomacy strategy built around hosting sport mega-events.

This research comprises three interconnected studies that, when considered together, attend to the dissertation’s purpose of presenting an integrated conceptual framework for ambush marketing in the Olympic Games. This has been accomplished in two ways: (1) the use of institutional theory, supported by network theory, as a lens to view and understand evolutionary processes in Olympic sponsorship and ambush marketing and (2) the use of grounded theory to build a conceptual framework of ambush marketing from the findings. Broadly, the model suggests the evolution of ambush marketing is partially impacted by, and an outcome of, institutional forces and considerations. Study I examines the process of institutionalization in the evolution of Olympic sponsorship during its most critical period of growth. It is argued that three key periods of change for sponsorship and two for ambush marketing exist during this time. Furthermore, these periods of change, most specifically concerning anti-ambush marketing practices, suggest the institutionalization of anti-ambush marketing legislation in the Olympic Games. Study II examines how Olympic ambush marketing stakeholder power and transfer of sponsorship and ambush marketing knowledge has influenced institutional processes toward the state of anti-ambush legislation as institutionalized brand protection. Centrality measures suggest the International Olympic Committee and Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games demonstrate the greatest stakeholder influence within the Olympic ambush marketing network. It is further argued the influence resulting from the structure of Olympic ambush marketing networks impacts the institutional processes of objectification and sedimentation. Study III examines the contemporary state of Olympic sponsorship evidenced by institutionalized legislated brand protection. While direct marketing implications of anti-ambush marketing legislation are minimal, it is argued the practice represents a portion of a regime of brand protection and that public relations outcomes of legislated brand protection must be carefully managed as part of a brand management strategy. Similarly, proportionality and managing expectations are arguably important in the understanding and application of such laws. Finally it is suggested that while the Olympic Movement may be viewed as an early adopter of anti-ambush legislation in the mega-event field, the individual character of each Olympic Games will interfere with complete isomorphism.

Ekologisk hållbarhet är en högst aktuell, allomfattande samhällsfråga. Arrangemang av idrotts- megaevents som Olympiska Spelen medför åtskilliga påfrestningar på miljön och även utvecklingen i den specifika värdstaden. I kandidatförfarandet till Olympiska Spelen (OS) presenterar kandiderande städer omfattande planer för stadsutveckling som ska möjliggöra genomförandet av OS; och av vikt är att det sker ekologiskt hållbart. Den här studien har genom en kvalitativ dokumentanalys av kandidaturerna för värdstäderna Paris (OS 2024) och Los Angeles (OS 2028) analyserat på vilket sätt kandidaturerna belyst ekologisk hållbarhet och i vilken utsträckning den har legat till grund och utgjort en genomgående utgångspunkt vid föreslagna planer. Även studerades vilken funktion den Internationella Olympiska Kommittén (IOK) intagit vid utvärderingen av kandidaturerna, i förhållande till den ekologiska hållbarheten. Resultatet visade att ekologisk hållbarhet belyses i kandidaturerna och att presenterade planer, inom olika områden beträffande OS i viss utsträckning har tagit ekologisk hållbarhet i beaktning vid argumentation för planering, utveckling och genomförande. Däremot är initiativen främst kopplade till det kapitel särskilt tillägnat ’hållbarhet’ och utgör ingen avgörande eller heltäckande utgångspunkt för presenterade planer. Yttermera efterlämnar såväl kandidaternas som IOK:s formuleringar stort utrymme för tolkning, där IOK:s roll många gånger kan anses odefinierad.

[pt] Esse início do século XXI marcou definitivamente a entrada da cidade do Rio de Janeiro no rodízio mundial de cidades que recebem importantes e grandes eventos político, culturais e esportivos. A história nos mostra que este último, os esportivos, tem significantes impactos políticos, econômicos e sociais para as cidades sede. Defendidos por uns e criticados por outros, os grandes eventos esportivos tem se mostrado como poderosos viabilizadores dos chamados grandes projetos urbanos. Diante de seus impactos na cidade e na sociedade, e em especial nos assentamentos precários e favelas do Rio, movimentos sociais têm se organizado em torno desses megaeventos questionando seus legados prometidos e principalmente a quantidade de dinheiro destinado a sua realização. A história da cidade do Rio de Janeiro nos mostra que bairros inteiros vêm lutando por melhores condições de habitabilidade, já outros lutam pelo básico direito a permanência e contra as práticas remocionistas, característica essa tão presente nas cidades que recebem grandes eventos esportivos. O trabalho visa estudar uma experiência de organização comunitária que questiona os megaeventos e ao mesmo tempo reivindica intervenções básicas de infraestrutura no bairro da Rocinha. O grupo chamado Rocinha Sem Fronteiras se reúne há nove anos, uma vez por mês em um espaço cedido por uma igreja dentro da Rocinha. É um grupo apartidário que tem conseguido provocar importantes discussões e reflexões junto à população residente da Rocinha desenvolvendo rodas de conversas com políticos e autoridades públicas em um espaço de diálogo horizontal entre moradores e convidados. / [en] This early 21st century definitely marked the entrance of the city of Rio de Janeiro in the global rotation of cities that receive large and important political, cultural and sport events. History shows us that the latter, the sports, has significant political, economic and social impacts for the host cities. Defended by some people and criticized by other, major sports events have proved to be powerful enablers of so called major urban projects. Due to their impacts in the city and in society, and especially in slums and favelas of Rio, social movements have been organized around these mega events, questioning their pledged legacies and mainly the amount of money intended for their realization. The history of the city of Rio de Janeiro shows us that entire neighborhoods have been fighting for better living conditions, others fight for the basics right to stay in their homes and neighborhoods, and against the removal policy, this feature so present in cities that receive major sports events. This paper looks at a community organization experience that questions the mega events, while claiming basic interventions on infrastructure in the Rocinha neighborhood. Called Rocinha Without Borders, the group have been meeting once a month for six years in a space provided by a church in Rocinha. They are a nonpartisan group that has managed to cause important discussions and reflections with the resident population of Rocinha, developing meeting of conversations with politicians and public authorities in a horizontal dialogue between residents and guests.

No description available.

yes / This article highlights and analyses a hitherto largely neglected dimension to the growing agency of large developing countries in global affairs: their hosting of international sports mega-events. Why are large developing countries hosting sports mega-events and what does this contemporary phenomenon tell us about the significance of, for example, the Olympics and the World Cup in global affairs? We explore these questions through brief examination of the cases of the three most active sports mega-event hosting states in recent times: Brazil, China and South Africa. The 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and the upcoming 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil provide interesting examples with which to explore developing country agency in the international system and in particular the discursive basis of that agency. We see the hosting of sports mega-events as the practice of public diplomacy by states to both demonstrate existing soft power capability as well as pursue its further enhancement.

The City of Stockholm has undergone a curious process of considering whether to launch a bid for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. That Stockholm has contemplated launching a bid is not surprising from a regional perspective—the Olympic Games have not been held in a Scandinavian country since Lillehammer, Norway played host in 1994 and Sweden has never hosted the Winter Olympics. A potential bid from Stockholm would also be consistent with Sweden's self-identification and embracement of being a 'sportive nation'. Failed applications by the Swedish cities of Gothenburg, Falun, and Östersund to host the Winter Olympic Games confirm the long-standing interest of the Swedish Olympic Committee to secure the Games, although it should be noted that the Swedish Olympic Committee did not submit a bid for the 2006, 2010, 2014 or 2018 Winter Olympic Games competitions. Although recent reports indicate that Stockholm will not vie for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the notion that the city was even considering the option remains surprising. Stockholm had withdrawn its bid from the 2022 bidding competition citing a variety of concerns including a lack of government and public support, financial uncertainty, as well as the post-event viability of purpose-built infrastructure. Stockholm's withdrawal from the 2022 competition resonates with the growing apprehension by potential bid cities (especially those emerging from democratic countries) towards the Olympic Games. This thesis seeks to illustrate that Stockholm's Olympic hopes have book-ended a transformative period in the Olympic bidding process and to expose the struggle that bid cities have in adjusting to the demands of the IOC's bidding process. / Master of Science / The City of Stockholm’s recent Olympic hosting ambition has gone through a tumultuous and curious process in recent years. This ambition is especially visible during the 2026 Winter Olympic bidding process in which the Swedish Olympic Committee considered the feasibility to bid for the Games. While smaller Swedish cities including Gothenburg, Falun and Östersund have all failed in materializing a competitive bid for the Winter Olympics, the ambition still lingers. Although media reports state that Stockholm will not consider a bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the notion that Stockholm was even considering the option to bid remains surprising recognizing that the Swedish capital withdrew its 2022 Winter Olympic bid due to lack of support from both the public and the city government. The issues behind Stockholm’s withdrawal of their 2022 bid falls in line with comparable complications that the International Olympic Committee has witnessed regarding other, similar social democratic countries withdrawing bids at a higher rate than normal. These issues include a variety of concerns ranging from lack of political and public support, financial uncertainty, and the usage of purpose-built Winter Olympic venues after the conclusion of the Games. This thesis investigates the transformative period of the Swedish Olympic Committees ambitions for the Olympic Games, while also highlighting issues that can arise during the bidding process, including difficulties and adjustments required by the International Olympic Committee.

A presente dissertação de mestrado tem como objetivo analisar as mudanças socioespaciais ocorridas no bairro de Itaquera localizado na Zona Leste do Município de São Paulo a partir de uma série de intervenções no espaço urbano da região entre os anos de 2010 e 2014. Consideramos que tal processo é decorrente de determinadas ações provenientes dos diversos agentes sociais que influem na dinâmica de produção e reprodução do espaço por meio da elaboração de Grandes Projetos Urbanos e da realização do megaevento esportivo Copa do Mundo FIFA de futebol 2014 na região. Para tanto, o texto aborda primeiramente uma discussão teórica sobre o espaço urbano, a produção do espaço no sistema capitalista e o processo de urbanização da sociedade, que no caso particular da cidade de São Paulo deu origem a uma organização socioespacial fragmentada e desigual. A pesquisa busca demonstrar também, tal qual um objetivo secundário, o processo de formação socioespacial de Itaquera ao longo do século XX, bem como suas características atuais por meio da apresentação de dados socioeconômicos. Num segundo momento, o texto aborda o atual modelo de planejamento urbano (estratégico) na elaboração de grandes projetos urbanos e dos megaeventos. E por fim, a pesquisa analisa o projeto denominado Polo Institucional Itaquera e as consequentes mudanças socioespaciais observadas no espaço urbano de Itaquera. Avaliamos que a prática desse modelo de planejamento urbano recentemente tem como finalidade a expansão do capital imobiliário e a construção de novas centralidades na cidade. A pesquisa é de caráter documental e analítico qualitativo e propõe um exame interdisciplinar acerca da problemática exposta na elaboração de um grande projeto urbano em uma região de periferia e confirma a hipótese da expansão do capital imobiliário que neste caso persiste em reproduzir grandes desigualdades socioespaciais / This master thesis aims to analyze the socio-spatial changes in the Itaquera neighborhood located in the East Zone of São Paulo City from a series of interventions in urban areas of the region since the year 2010. We believe that this process is due to certain actions from the various social actors that influence the dynamics of space production and reproduction through the development of Large Urban Projects and the realization of the mega-sports-event FIFA Soccer World Cup 2014 in the region. Firstly, the text deals with a theoretical discussion of the urban space, the space production in the capitalist system and the process of ghe society urbanization, which in the particular case of the city of São Paulo has led to a fragmented and uneven socio-spatial organization. The research also seeks to demonstrate, like a secondary objective, the socio-forming process of Itaquera throughout the twentieth century and its current characteristics through the presentation of socioeconomic data. Secondly, the paper addresses the current urban planning model (strategic) in the development of Large Urban Projects and mega-events. Finally, the research analyzes the project called Polo Institutional Itaquera and the consequent socio-spatial changes observed in the urban areas of Itaquera. We assess that the practice of urban planning model recently aims at the expansion of real estate capital and the construction of new center spots in the city. The research has a documentary and qualitative analytical characteristics, and proposes an interdisciplinary examination about the exposed contradictions in the development of a major urban project in a periphery region, where such a project contrasts with the situation found in Itaquera and confirms the hypothesis of expansion real estate capital on the outskirts of Sao Paulo that as a result persists in reporting great socio-spatial inequalities

A presente dissertação de mestrado tem como objetivo analisar as mudanças socioespaciais ocorridas no bairro de Itaquera localizado na Zona Leste do Município de São Paulo a partir de uma série de intervenções no espaço urbano da região entre os anos de 2010 e 2014. Consideramos que tal processo é decorrente de determinadas ações provenientes dos diversos agentes sociais que influem na dinâmica de produção e reprodução do espaço por meio da elaboração de Grandes Projetos Urbanos e da realização do megaevento esportivo Copa do Mundo FIFA de futebol 2014 na região. Para tanto, o texto aborda primeiramente uma discussão teórica sobre o espaço urbano, a produção do espaço no sistema capitalista e o processo de urbanização da sociedade, que no caso particular da cidade de São Paulo deu origem a uma organização socioespacial fragmentada e desigual. A pesquisa busca demonstrar também, tal qual um objetivo secundário, o processo de formação socioespacial de Itaquera ao longo do século XX, bem como suas características atuais por meio da apresentação de dados socioeconômicos. Num segundo momento, o texto aborda o atual modelo de planejamento urbano (estratégico) na elaboração de grandes projetos urbanos e dos megaeventos. E por fim, a pesquisa analisa o projeto denominado Polo Institucional Itaquera e as consequentes mudanças socioespaciais observadas no espaço urbano de Itaquera. Avaliamos que a prática desse modelo de planejamento urbano recentemente tem como finalidade a expansão do capital imobiliário e a construção de novas centralidades na cidade. A pesquisa é de caráter documental e analítico qualitativo e propõe um exame interdisciplinar acerca da problemática exposta na elaboração de um grande projeto urbano em uma região de periferia e confirma a hipótese da expansão do capital imobiliário que neste caso persiste em reproduzir grandes desigualdades socioespaciais / This master thesis aims to analyze the socio-spatial changes in the Itaquera neighborhood located in the East Zone of São Paulo City from a series of interventions in urban areas of the region since the year 2010. We believe that this process is due to certain actions from the various social actors that influence the dynamics of space production and reproduction through the development of Large Urban Projects and the realization of the mega-sports-event FIFA Soccer World Cup 2014 in the region. Firstly, the text deals with a theoretical discussion of the urban space, the space production in the capitalist system and the process of ghe society urbanization, which in the particular case of the city of São Paulo has led to a fragmented and uneven socio-spatial organization. The research also seeks to demonstrate, like a secondary objective, the socio-forming process of Itaquera throughout the twentieth century and its current characteristics through the presentation of socioeconomic data. Secondly, the paper addresses the current urban planning model (strategic) in the development of Large Urban Projects and mega-events. Finally, the research analyzes the project called Polo Institutional Itaquera and the consequent socio-spatial changes observed in the urban areas of Itaquera. We assess that the practice of urban planning model recently aims at the expansion of real estate capital and the construction of new center spots in the city. The research has a documentary and qualitative analytical characteristics, and proposes an interdisciplinary examination about the exposed contradictions in the development of a major urban project in a periphery region, where such a project contrasts with the situation found in Itaquera and confirms the hypothesis of expansion real estate capital on the outskirts of Sao Paulo that as a result persists in reporting great socio-spatial inequalities