What benefits do you think a country will gain from hosting some major international sports event?

There are several important international sports events, including the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup, that are held on a regular basis and hosted by specially selected countries. The competition among countries to hold one of these events is very fierce. Much time, effort and money are spent presenting the country’s credentials to hold the event. But is it worth it? What are the benefits of a successful bid?

I think that most bidders would see the benefits as centering on the publicity the successful country will receive. Competitions such as the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games involve a wide range of events. Each event attracts a huge number of television viewers throughout the world. International football tournaments such as the World Cup are a great attraction for the enormous number of football fans worldwide. Any of these important global sports events is certain to attract great worldwide interest.

Thus, in the lead-up to a particular sports event, TV cameras from all over the world will be directed at the country holding the event. This will create a wonderful opportunity for the country to show off to the world any attractions that are likely to interest tourists. These days when foreign travel is so convenient, fast and relatively cheap, tourism is of great economic importance to any country.

With the cameras already on the country, it can seize this rare opportunity to showcase its historical and cultural attractions, as well as its peculiar scenic wonders and technological achievements. The extravaganzas which open and close such international events are designed to attract the attention of potential tourists, giving them a sample of the culture and traditions of the country holding the event. That is why the organizers spare no expense, effort or creativity in staging them.

Another likely benefit to the host country is the improvement that will most probably have to be made to the country’s infrastructure if the event is to be successful. Improvements to public transport and communication services, improvements to roads and airports and an immense expansion in hotel accommodation may be required to be carried out in order to cope with anticipated increase in the number of visitors. These improvements are likely to make life easier for the inhabitants of the country after the foreign spectators have gone home.

In the short term, the event’s host country is likely to acquire some much-wanted cash. Visitors will spend money on accommodation, meals, transport, entertainment and, highly beneficial to the arts and crafts industry, souvenirs

to take home.

Putting on the sports event is most likely to improve the employment opportunities in the country. The job market will improve because a great number of people will be required to build the stadiums and make the necessary improvements to the infrastructure. Then there are the people who will provide the guests a whole myriad of services, not to mention the staff who will be employed in the day-to-day running of the sports event.

These, then, are some of the benefits for the host country of a major sports event. However, there are also disadvantages. The cost of holding such an event is extremely high and countries cannot always hope to recoup the money spent. Many of the possible benefits, such as tourism, are long-term rather than immediate or certain. In fact, some benefits such as an increase in cash and jobs, are short-lived and some of the specially built structures go unused after the games.