Using a comprehensive approach to measure short-term effects and legacy of sporting events: the case of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy

ABSTRACT

Research question:

This paper aims to evaluate the interest of adopting a comprehensive approach to study sporting event impacts.

Research methods:

The study case is the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy. Measurement of the economic impact is based on the Wilson multiplier. The calculation of social benefits relies on a typical cost–benefit analysis, through the Clawson–Knetsch Travel cost and the Contingent valuation methods, completed by a qualitative work. The analysis of the environmental impact and the long-term legacy is more descriptive and relies on miscellaneous indicators.

Results and Findings:

The economic impact is significant for the region and reaches 125% of the organizational budget. Social benefits resulting from spectators and local inhabitants exceed the amount invested by the public sector. Negative environmental effects had been partly reduced because of accompanying measures, illustrating their importance. In the long term, an heritage for the equestrian sector, and to a lesser extent for the tourism sector, is underlined.

Implications:

This study shows the interest to consider the event impacts globally. To this end, methodologies deeply rooted in the literature can be used for economic and social effects but new approaches and methodologies need to be developed for environmental impacts and legacy.

KEYWORDS:

• Impact
• legacy
• comprehensive approach
• equestrian event
• Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank their partners (Irstea Clermont-Ferrand, University of Caen, Department of Youth, Sports and Social Cohesion), the members of the project's monitoring committee, the PhD and engineer students who worked with them on this project (Fabien Clipet and Cyrielle Pèpe), the investigators who helped collecting data, as well as all the actors in the field who agreed to help or to be investigated.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Scientific Council of the French equine sector; the IFCE (French institute for horse and riding); the INRAE (French national research institute for agriculture, food and environment); the CDES (center of sport law and economics) of Limoges; the GIP Normandy 2014; the Basse-Normandie Region; the Caen la mer agglomeration; and the city of Caen.