The importance of legacy outcomes for Olympic Games four summer host cities residents' quality of life: 1996–2008

Abstract

The importance of legacy evaluation for Olympic host cities is noted in sport, tourism, economic, and sociological journals. However, there was lack of empirical evidence of the Olympic Games long-term effects in local societies. Thus, this study explored the importance of legacy outcomes for residents' quality of life in four Summer Olympic cities: Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, and Beijing. The study utilized survey research with the four cities residents. The questionnaires reflected the Olympic Games legacy outcomes as noted in International Olympic Committee official final Olympic Games reports. ANOVA and t-tests were used to estimate how significant the outcomes were and whether demographics influenced residents' perceptions across the four cities. The results suggest that residents of Atlanta and Sydney value outcomes from the Games such as emotional investment and spaces associated with the Games that have a socialization dimension higher than residents of Athens and Beijing who value the more tangible outcomes as more important for their quality of life. All residents evaluated the importance of the outcomes for their quality of life in a positive light but differences were found within the different demographic profiles of the residents.

Keywords:

• legacy
• residents
• Olympic Games
• quality of life
• long-term evaluation

Acknowledgements

This research was feasible due to a research grant received by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Studies Center, Lausanne, Switzerland.