World Cup, Olympics have 'no convincing legacy' for host nations

Source: CBC News

For Brazil, hosting the 2014 World Cup was supposed to be a moment of national pride and international prestige. Yet on the eve of the biggest sporting event in the world, the South American country is dealing with street riots, the death of another construction worker, the threat of more transit strikes and a growing sentiment that hosting mega-sports events carries few social benefits.

... Thanks to broadcast rights and corporate sponsorships, sporting events are hugely profitable to organizations such as FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). FIFA is predicted to pull in $4.5 billion in revenue on the 2014 World Cup. They're seldom as beneficial to the hosts.

... Jens Sejer Andersen, international director of Play the Game, a Denmark-based non-profit aimed at promoting transparency in sport, says more and more countries are realizing that these events make little economic sense.

"In open societies with a vivid (democratic) debate, they have discovered there's no convincing legacy after this huge and unpredictable investment," says Andersen. As a result, the major sports organizations could be tempted by bids from more authoritarian countries "where not so many questions are asked."

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/world-cup-olympics-have-no-convincing-legacy-for-host-nations-1.2670566