Making the Case for Events

Weekend 1

Weekend Structure Class discussion: weeks 1-4

Coffee

Analysing bids and bidding documents: Rio vs Chicago

Lunch

Glasgow 2014 Case Study

Assessment 1 preparation

Coffee

Debate

Revisiting Weeks 1-4 Reflect on the main arguments for Central

Government involvement in peripatetic events and critically examine the range of requirements placed upon potential hosts by sanctioning organisations and highlight the potential reasons for such demands.

With reference to Lukes’ analysis of power, critically discuss the reasons why ‘narratives’ (Black, 2007; Cornelissen , 2004) are becoming an integral part of bidding processes.

Bids and Bidding Documents

Looking at the bid summaries for the 2016 Olympics from Rio (winner) and Chicago (favourite), discuss the potential reasons why Rio won the right to host the Games.

Case Study: Glasgow 2014

Glasgow’s history…• Scotland’s largest city

• Former “Second City” of the British Empire

• Post First World War Industrial Decline

• Decline of shipbuilding and locomotive industries, rise of the service sector

• Cultural renaissance in 1980s and 1990s:

• “Glasgow’s Miles Better”, Burrell Collection, European Capital of Culture

Glasgow’s bid…

•“a Commonwealth Games in

Glasgow would play a central

part in the city’s long term

process of social renewal and

economic development”

•Glasgow 2014 had

“considerable merit and should

be subject to serious

consideration”

•Estimated that 1,200 jobs would

be immediately created by the

Games, as well as a positive

economic impact of £81M

The Bid

• November 2004 – Bid Assessment Group set up.

• First pitch made at 2006 Melbourne Games

• Visit of the Evaluation Commission

• High number of outward visits (67 of 71 voting nations visited)

• Inward visits (69 of 71 visited)• ‘Back the Bid’ – 1.75M

supporters• May 2007 – Candidate City File

completed• November 2007, Sri Lanka – 47

of 71 votes obtained

Case Study Questions… Drawing on your knowledge of Lukes’

theory, review critically the inward and outward visits programme in the bidding process and benefits or otherwise these have for the host in bidding for a peripatetic event. Your answer should draw on some practical examples.

Considering the political rationale for bidding to host a mega event and its impact on the host community critically evaluate the approach taken by Glasgow through its “back the bid campaign” for the host nation.

Assignment 1 – Blog Discussion Part 1 – 500 words – 26th March

Lukes’ (1974) three dimensional conceptualisation of power offers a complex and interesting insight into the bidding processes surrounding peripatetic mega-events. Drawing on ONE mega-event bid, critically apply Lukes’ work to the bidding process.

NOTE: You cannot draw on Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games bid for this assignment.

Part 2 – 500 words –9th April Submit to the Making the Case for Events blog site

commenting on another person’s original contribution.

Debate It could be argued that the decision to bid for

peripatetic mega-events is more often than not designed to serve the needs of political actors rather than the needs of the host community.

Please draw examples from practical cases and present statements to support your case.