Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of Master of Management Sciences: Public Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / The costs of bidding to host mega sporting events such as the Olympics and FIFA World cups are huge. The demand for massive infrastructure to deliver such games is high irrespective of slow economic growth and constrained fiscal budgets. Very few governments are able to properly assess the actual economic value of the investments in infrastructure. The existing infrastructure appraisal and prioritisation methodologies usually take a very narrow view of value. There is scholarly evidence that there is little effort directed towards studies that investigate intangible benefits associated with infrastructural investment in stadia. Much research effort has been invested in the development of methods and models to measure the economic impacts of mega events. While the focus has been, on balance, on financial benefits of hosting mega events, the independent empirical research has found no evidence of economic benefits associated with mega sport events. This study then determined, first the conceptual definition, and the nature of novelty value derived from infrastructural investment. Secondly, an index was constructed to assess the novelty value of infrastructural investment on stadia. The index creation process commenced with the identification of items that define the concept from literature. This was followed by interviews of key informants who are experts and insightful on world cup stadia infrastructural investment. The themes from literature as well as insights from key informants shaped the survey instrument for the second phase of the study. A sample (n =399) was drawn from the study population which is made up of patrons of Moses Mabhida stadium. Factor analysis, a multivariate analytical tool was used to develop a reliable novelty value index (V-ndex). The constructed index has three valid and reliable constructs; spectator experience, novelty continuance and modernity. These three construct define the nonfinancial value, which this study describes as novelty value derived from infrastructural investment. It is therefore recommended that when policy makers seek to assess the value of infrastructural investment on sporting facilities, they incorporate non financial value to the financial value added by investment. / M

This thesis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of neighbourhood changes spurred by urban renewal associated with the Paris 2024 Olympic games in the Pleyel neighbourhood, located in the Northern suburbs of Paris. Drawing upon a theoretical framework that emphasizes the complexities of mega-events and urban transformations, the study addresses two key research questions: (1) How do urban renewal stakeholders envision neighbourhood changes, and (2) What are the perceptions of residents and activists towards ongoing and envisioned neighbourhood transformations? Data was collected through qualitative research, including semi-structured interviews (n=10) and observations, capturing the perspectives of urban renewal stakeholders, residents, and activists. The study contributes to renewal and mega-event literature and explores themes related to Olympic-induced urban renewal, participatory processes, social equity, and sustainability. The findings reveal that the employment of social and environmental discourses by urban renewal stakeholders can lead to depoliticization and the understatement of local agonisms. Divergent perceptions among and within groups highlight the role of individual implications and sense of place. The study also identifies limited participatory practices and potential gentrifying tendencies resulting from state-led housing provisions. The conclusions emphasize the need for meaningful citizen participation, policy improvements, and the critical examination of large-scale urban renewal outcomes.

Ice hockey is a sport like many others that has been dominated by men throughout history. This shows both when it comes to sporting conditions and what gets exposure in media. This essay studies four Swedish newspapers reporting on the Swedish men’s and women’s hockey teams during the Olympics 1998 and 2018. With the help of a quantitative content analysis it analyzes to which degree the reporting is gender equal and what the difference between 1998 and 2018 is. The result of the essay is more equal now than it was 20 years ago. Women’s hockey gets more exposure in the media, female players are being quoted in the articles to a greater extent and the language in the articles about women’s hockey are more similar to the articles about men’s hockey in 2018. Even though there has been a progression, there is still a long way to go to full equality in the reporting on ice hockey. There was still more than twice as many articles about men’s hockey than women’s hockey in the four analyzed  newspapers in 2018 and men’s hockey is still the norm that women’s hockey is being compared to.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / On July 20, 1968, the first-ever International Special Olympics Games took place in Chicago, Illinois. The following year, two Indiana State University (ISU) professors established Indiana Special Olympics (ISO) and took on the task of not only planning an annual competition, but also developing training programs and smaller events throughout the state. The organization maintained headquarters on the ISU campus before relocating to Indianapolis in 1989. Over ISO’s first two decades, its small staff expanded its sports programming in the face of financial and logistical challenges. Despite being an athletics organization, ISO focused on more than improving the physical fitness of its participants. The organization intended to change society’s negative views of people with mental disabilities by increasing public awareness and societal inclusion of such individuals. In this effort, how ISO depicted people with mental disabilities had significance. This thesis explores ISO’s growth from 1969 to 1989 and argues that ISO did not create a consistent image of people with intellectual disabilities during this time period. Instead, it conveyed and implied multiple depictions that sometimes contradicted each other. The divergent portrayals reveal that ISO developed at a time when people were both maintaining historical conceptions of disability and creating new ones.

No description available.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / Since the end of the Cold War the Alliance's transformation has erased doubts about its survival. NATO continues to adapt to new threat environments by expanding its mission scope to out-of-area operations and by assuming new security missions. For the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States and subsequent 11 March 2004 Madrid bombings in Spain complicated an already robust Greek security plan. Greece's extensive security planning, in addition to coordinating NATO support, highlighted the challenges and readiness requirements for the Alliance in the 21st century. Terrorist concerns, burden-sharing, recognition of Greek sovereignty, political limitations in deploying NATO's CBR Defense team and NRF utilization were all elements of the challenges faced in security preparation for the Games. In assessing the dynamics behind NATO's history and its security participation in the 2004 Summer Olympics, this thesis serves as a case study in the continuing transformational role and adaptability of NATO. Overall, the Alliance's willingness to assume security support to a major international sporting event represented its long-time relationship with Greece, its ability to perform significant security missions and its commitment to and solidarity with its allied members. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

Die intensive Auswertung unterschiedlicher schriftlicher und mündlicher Quellen sowie die Erschließung von damals "geheimer" Literatur für die Forschung heute ermöglicht eine differenzierte Rekonstruktion historischer Abläufe. Die vorliegende Arbeit nutzt diesen Zugang zur Darstellung von kleineren und größeren DDR-internen sportpolitischen Strukturwandlungen der 1960er und 1970er Jahre, die ihren Höhepunkt in einer dramatischen Umsteuerung des DDR-Hochleistungssports fanden.<br /> Es wird gezeigt, wie die Akteure unter Führung von Manfred EWALD, gewähltem Mitglied des SED-Zentralkomitees, einer Zentralfigur des DDR-Sports (vergleichbar mit der Bedeutung eines Willi DAUME im Westen) zwischen Systemzwängen und individueller Handlungsfreiheit innerhalb des Rahmens einer Diktatur in der Phase des Wechsels von Walter ULBRICHT zu Erich HONECKER eine Effektivierung des zentralistischen Modells durchsetzten (eine Parallele zum Ansatz von Monika KAISER).<br /> Im Gegensatz zu vielen kontroversen Erklärungsmodellen belegt der Verf., dass die Medaillenerfolge durch die zentrale Steuerung aller Abläufe gewährleistet wurden. Ohne SED-Auftrag wurde 1967 die "Leistungssportkommission der DDR" (LSK der DDR) gebildet. <br /> Im Unterschied zu den zahlreichen vom Verf. erstmals dargestellten Vorgängermodellen war diese SED-LSK "oberhalb des DTSB" angesiedelt und erteilte ihm Parteiaufträge - die Unterordnung des organisierten Sports unter die Autorität des Zentralkomitee machte angesichts der "Nationalen Fronten" von Armeesportvereinigung "Vorwärts" und Sportvereinigung "Dynamo" (SPITZER) jegliche zentrale Sportpolitik erst durchsetzbar.<br /> Zur "LSK der DDR" waren SED-Mitglieder abgeordnet, welche ihr Sachgebiet vertraten und nach gemeinsamer Beschlussfassung die Ergebnisse der LSK-Arbeit wiederum in ihrem jeweiligen Tätigkeitsfeld durchzusetzen hatten, was in der Diss. ausgeführt wird. Sportvertreter ebenso wie hochrangige Abgesandte der Ministerien, die mit der Produktion von Gütern für den Hochleistungssport befasst waren, gehörten den LSK-Gremien an, die auch die DDR-Sportwissenschaft steuerten; es lässt sich sogar nachweisen, dass die Herrschaft über diesen wichtigen Apparat sowie die Dopingforschung ein Hauptmotiv der LSK-Bildung gewesen ist.<br /> <br /> Durch seine Quellenorientierung und die Fülle an Belegen gibt die vorliegende Arbeit neue Anreize zur Auseinandersetzung mit dem Phänomen der Steuerung des Hochleistungssports in der DDR - auch über den Untersuchungszeitraum hinaus. <br /> Die Untersuchung wurde von der Humanwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Potsdam als Dissertation angenommen. Sie geht auf ein Stipendium dieser Universität zurück; das Verfahren konnte mit einem Prädikat abgeschlossen werden. Gutachter waren Prof. Dr. Dr. Gertrud PFISTER, Kopenhagen, Prof. Dr. Christoph KLEßMANN, Potsdam, und der Betreuer, Steady Visiting Prof. Univ. Odense, Priv.-Doz. Dr. habil. Giselher SPITZER, Berlin / Potsdam / Odense (Dänemark). / The guaranteed provision of material support for the athletes used to be a precondition for success in sports: 'Competitive sports under the conditions of the GDR' - thus the source material on this early model of professional sports. The author reveals both illegal (according to the IOC regulations) payments and a new drive towards success-oriented payments at least for the coaches. The latter trend was already the result of a dramatic change in competitive sports in the GDR. Today, a thorough analysis of contemporary documents, oral testimony, and formerly classified literature allows a more nuanced reconstruction of the historical events and processes. This work shows how the organisers of GDR sports, led by Manfred EWALD (EWALD was an elected member of the SED Central Committee and a central figure in the GDR sports scene. He might be characterised as the opposite number of Willi DAUME in the FRG.) succeeded with establishing a more efficient centralistic model (here, there is a parallel with Monika KAISER's approach). Despite the constraints of the system, they brought about his change at a time of political transition from Walter ULBRICHT to Erich HONECKER. <br /> In contrast to many other, controversial interpretations, the author argues that the athletic successes originated in the central organisation of GDR sports. In 1967, the 'Competitive Sports Commission of the GDR' (LSK) was established without explicit orders from the SED. In contrast to numerous older models, which the author has discovered, this new model was positioned 'above the DTSB' and gave party orders to the DTSB - the subordination of organised sports to the authority of the Central Committee allowed the implementation of a central sports policy. Given the 'National Fronts' of the Army Sports Club Vorwärts and the Sports Club Dynamo (SPITZER), this was an especially difficult task. The LSK was composed of members of the SED. After reaching an agreement on certain issues, every member had to implement the agreed policy in his or her specific field of activity, as this dissertation shows. The LSK subcommittees consisted of representatives of the sports as well as high-ranking representatives of those ministries which supervised the production of goods needed in competitive sports. It can be demonstrated, that control over this important body as well as the doping research was an important factor in the establishment of the LSK. <br /> <br /> The work on 'Changes in the control of competitive sports in the GDR in the 1960s and 1970s', brought the awarded degree of Doctor of Philosophy with distinction by the faculty of arts of the University of Potsdam to the author. The research was sponsored by the University of Potsdam. The degree committee consisted of Professor Gertrud PFISTER (Kopenhagen), Professor Christoph KLEßMANN (Potsdam), and the dissertation supervisor, Privatdozent Dr Giselher SPITZER (Berlin, Potsdam, Odense (Denmark)).

近年來，中國環境污染不斷惡化，隨著動態的傳遞過程，境內受到污染的物質隨著河流、海洋、空氣的流動而移轉，甚至以人爲移動的方式傳遞至其他國家，形成跨國界的環境污染，全球因為環境污染造成的經濟損失與治理的成本難以估計。 中國環境污染的問題，有其歷史的淵源，又與各時期領導者政治思維、經濟發展及環保政策相關。面對國際社會的關注和環境惡化的壓力，中國被迫嚴肅正視其環境污染問題，在「北京奧運」舉辦前後，中國政府展現整治控制的決心及投入，確實使北京環境因為奧運短期成效，讓世人驚豔。 深入探討中國環保政策面臨問題，根源於政策體制缺陷、國內參與不足及國際化程度不深等因素。對中共而言，面對發展與環保、地方與中央及國內與國外情況，已不僅是一個專業問題，更是一個政治問題，挑動政權敏感神經及智慧，左右為難。

This thesis seeks to address a research gap concerning the relationship between the Localism Act 2011 and planning’s central purpose of achieving sustainable development. In addition it uses a physical example in urban space to illustrate the main arguments, and in doing so adds to the growing literature on the various outcomes since the Localism Act was enforced across England in 2011. The thesis asks four inter-related questions: Firstly, regarding the theoretical bases of sustainability and localism from the various ontologies of ‘scale’ and ‘the natural’; secondly, regarding the general conflicting assumptions within localism and sustainable development; thirdly, regarding the ways in which sustainable development is inherently multi-scalar; and lastly how our case study example highlights the need for policy-makers to examine the often overlooked trade-offs which exist in normative sustainable development models. The thesis also demonstrates the role that site-specific research can play in grounding theoretical and policy discussions. The research is situated in the rapidly changing sub-region of East London, particularly in the shadow of the 2012 Olympic regeneration of Stratford and the Borough of Newham. We take the example of a failed upgrade due the Localism Act, of a multi-scalar and multi-functional ‘Greenway’ to consider the relationship between localism and sustainable urbanism in the context neo-liberalism. Methods comprise site-based analysis in the form of walking, photography and note-taking, the analysis of national, metropolitan and local planning documents, as well as interviews with officials related to policy and design in the area and local residents. The research finds that national and metropolitan conceptions of sustainable development are weighted differently to those at local scales. In addition the Localism Act exacerbates planning capacities between Local Authorities and the communities they serve. There are some opportunities for neighbourhood planning but these are dependent on local capacities, widening already-existing socio-spatial inequalities. The thesis concludes by destabilising the widely used idea of sustainable development as a ‘balance’ between social, economic and environmental needs. Viewing sustainability through a scalar lens, in our case using a physical site and the policy of Localism, we are able to reveal the material differences between sustainable development agendas which have been criticised for masking over conflict in a post-political manner for the continuation of ‘status quo’ economic development trajectories.

Sexy Sports: A reception study of the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Olympics website coverage of women’s beach volleyball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics involves an examination of the sporting media and its reportage of the female athlete. The thesis will focus on the reception of the NBC Olympics website coverage of women’s beach volleyball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by viewing groups constituted by the researcher. The reason for this is that it would be difficult to find naturally constituted audiences for this website, but its reception is never-the-less of research interest. My hypothesis is that the nature of the images and text on the website is overdetermined by the construction of women on other popular texts such as men’s magazines etc. In focusing on the meanings obtained from the content of the website (texts and images), the study will investigate how these meanings are naturalised in specific moments of production as well as through their intertextual relationships with similar texts involved in the glamorisation of female athletes. Specifically the study explores the meanings obtained from the content of the website (texts and images) and how in turn these meanings are naturalised by the consumers of the website. The study will utilise a qualitative research design to unpack the content of the website through the use of qualitative content analysis, focus group interviews and individual in-depth interviews. The research will be informed via a theoretical framework that draws from feminist theory, sport feminism, the concept of intertextuality between media texts, ideology and Stuart Hall’s model of preferred reading. Increasingly mainstream media uses the image of a woman’s body to sell almost anything from men’s razors to margarine and in so far as the reporting of women’s sports is concerned this holds true. Through the research I intend to account for the connotative power of other texts i.e. the men’s magazines and pornography, and how this is likely to be carried through into shaping the meanings that are read off the website. Arguably the production of the NBC texts and images are overdetermined by the existence of similar texts already in transmission in the circuit of culture.