Tenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

This study examines the perceived impact of a world mega event on the local host community. Few studies compare the perceptions of impact of community residents with perceptions of event organizers. The specific purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of the residents of the host local community and the world rowing championship organizers and how the perceptions differ. 192 surveys were distributed; 34 surveys to organizers and 158 surveys to residents. The return rate of the organizers was 67.6% and the return rate of the residents was 68.35%. The organizers and resident’s perceptions of the future impacts were not significantly different. Social, economic and environmental impacts, however, all showed significant differences between the two groups. Residents placed significantly more importance on some of the social and environmental impacts. Whereas, organizers placed significantly more importance on the economic impacts of the event, such as the benefits to local restaurants, the impact on the areas surrounding the local community and the long term effect of the event. This study demonstrates that residents perceive social, economic and environmental impacts differently than the event organizers and these perceptions must be addressed during the planning stages of future events.