World Urban Forum

I believes cities have to host these mega events and they are more inclusive than exclusive. Look at China; the whole country & Beijing perception by people around the globe were changed with its successful hosting of Olympics.

The experience in South Africa of hosting the 2010 World Cup was that it was very positive for social cohesion but really problematic in terms of urban development issues. This is well outlined in pre and post event analyses – see for example Pillay and Bass (eds) “Development and Dreams: The Urban Legacy of the 2010 Football World Cup.” Cape Town: HSRC Press. (Available at http://www.hsrcpress.ac.za/product.php?productid=2259) but also Cottle, E. (ed.) 2011. “South Africa's World Cup: A Legacy for Whom?” Scottsville: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press. Cottle for example, does a pretty thorough post event analysis indicating that economically, FIFA and the big multi-nationals, were the ones making the profits. In 2003 hosting the World Cup was estimated to cost the country R2.3 billion, the 2010 expenditure calculations were R39.3 billion (divide this by +-8 to get US dollar amounts). R22.9 billion of this was spent on stadia and related infrastructure. Many argued in a context of such poverty and inequality - the money could have been much better spent on for example on much needed low cost housing. These stadia that are now white elephants costing cities millions of rands annually in maintenance. In Cape Town for example there was an existing stadium that met FIFA requirements but the FIFA committee wanted a different view of table mountain so billions were spent on a new stadium. A few weeks after the event the French company that had agreed to maintain this stadium pulled out citing that they couldn’t break even. The maintenance costs are now for the cities account. This particular stadium was built on one of the few pieces of inner city land that could have been made available for low cost housing. Hosting these events shape cities in ways that are irreversible and often exclusive.

To respond to the question "What are some examples of groups and organizations that contest the assumed benefits of hosting mega-events?," I would cite StreetNet International's 'World Class Cities for All' Campaign (http://streetnet.org.za). It just published a very interesting report on street vending in all 12 FIFA host cities that documents a deterioration in the working conditions of street vendors as the World Cup approaches. This trend is consistent with the evictions of informal workers and informal settlements that have accompanied the onset of other mega events, which are well documented, as James and Caroline have pointed out. In fact, just a few days ago, the local administration in São Paulo, Brazil announced a total ban on street vending and revoked the existing licenses of street vendors in several parts of the city (http://www.redebrasilatual.com.br/blog/desafiosurbanos/ambulantes-organizam-resistencia-juridica-contra-perseguicao-em-sao-paulo/view) – a move that would seem consistent with other mega events, although the link was not made explicit by the São Paulo administration, as far as I know. In that case, the Gaspar García Center for Human Rights (http://www.gaspargarcia.org.br/) is opposing the ban.

While, i may not want to question researched doubts that hosting, building mega-sports structures appear not beneficial, I am convinced from practical observations that sports is amongst most effective phenomenon transforming, promoting, equitable opportunities in global city, countries. Particularly for developing nation. Cities, government administration only needs to analyze whether it is viable or necessary to be wholly or partially involved in sports infrastructural development or just set oversight, policy standards. Then lets sporting talents, various games be introduced and we see th immense development of different talents from different background and gender. In west Africa precisely, sports have transformed most of our deprived (city, ghetto youths, teenagers to role model millionaire. From Chelseas Drogba,(cotedivoire national), Mikel(Nigerian national) Essien(Ghana national)....even in track and fields or is it the different age grade sports. Most of these teenagers, youths would have end up as delinquents!!

History has shown that mega-events have happened very few times in cities of developing countries because of the expenditure, the infrastructure requirements, and the need for political stability. Unfortunately, there are still doubts as to whether the majority of the cities in developing countries would be able to stage an event on this scale. For instance, the sale of television rights and sponsorship now characterizes a huge accumulation of capital from around the world, which is presently being concentrated on further improving already prosperous cities from developed world. Perhaps, the advantages of Olympic resourcing would be better focused on poorer cities more in need of large investment and environmental improvement.
It is important to mention that most development projects before the mega-events can encourage the modernization of infrastructure and environmental improvements. These improvements consist of mobility, sanitation, provision of social and cultural infrastructure, and also the construction of new residences, or the rehabilitation of the existing ones, which may amplify the availability of housing stock in the city.

Although mega-event can help nations to progress to a better stage of development, the experience of Cape Town’s bid for the Olympic Games shows that there are still many concerns on crime to host the games in developing countries. Hundreds of new houses for athlete housing were proposed to be build for the games where visitors would stay in low-crime areas, which mean that most of the new construction would happen in areas of the city that were in the least need of rehabilitation. In addition, during the years prior to the mega-events, displacement for urban development, “hiding” the poor from foreigner visitors, and discriminating against marginalized groups all frequently occurs. The negative consequences of these practices are mostly felt by the vulnerable population such as low-income residents, migrants, elderly, and street vendors.

Post-events examinations suggest that the real economic benefits are often substantially less than what is expected by promoters. In spite of these conclusions, the promise of substantial economic impact persists to provide a justification for public subsidies for mega-event infrastructure.

Here is a link to a very relevant article on the benefits associated with sports tourism: http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/economic_updates/south-africa-debating-sports-tourism-benefits