From promises to reality: lessons from Rio’s 2016 Olympics

ABSTRACT

This case study examines the sustainability promises made before and actual practices during the Rio 2016 Olympics. It emphasizes the need for accountable leadership, effective governance, and transparent communication in producing sustainable mega-events. By analyzing the failing s of Rio’s sustainability initiatives, valuable lessons are extracted to guide future event management strategies. This case study invites students to delve into the complexities of sustainable event planning and develop practical strategies for linking rhetoric to action. Understanding the challenges faced by the organizers of the Rio Olympics helps students navigate similar situations more effectively. This case study underscores the need to align promises with actions to realize substantial sustainability outcomes in mega-events.

KEYWORDS:

• Mega sports events
• Olympics
• Rio de Janeiro
• triple bottom line theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Declaration of conflicting interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.