Search Results (60)

The contribution of small-scale sporting events to tourism sustainable development in local communities has been well recognized in the literature. Small-scale running events in particular are essential in the promotion of sustainable tourism in the community due to their localized impact. Although research has largely focused on the demand side—including participants, spectators, and host communities—limited attention has been given to the supply side, particularly the perspectives of sport event organizers and their role in implementing sustainable practices. This study aims to address this gap and answer key research questions that concern the factors which contribute to the success of these events in relation to their economic, social, and environmental impacts through the lens of the events’ primary decision-makers, their organizers. This study employs an exploratory research method, conducting interviews with twenty-five organizers of diverse Greek running events that represent a variety of geographical contexts and event characteristics of the country, based on their long-standing presence. Findings contribute to sustainable sport tourism literature by developing a theoretical framework which encompasses the three dimensions of sustainability, highlighting inclusivity as a key component within the social dimension. Results indicate that organizers perceive their running events as having a positive economic impact and enhancing social cohesion. They are also aware of the potential environmental impact, like trail preservation, and consequently implement responsible measures to protect the environment. Organizers share a variety of specific strategies and practical suggestions aimed at improving the sustainability of running events, such as managing waste effectively or improving accessibility for diverse participants, offering transferable insights for other event planners and local authorities. This paper showcases the key role of organizers in developing partnerships to implement effective sustainable sport event practices in the destination. Full article

Exploring the cognitive and affective image dimensions involved in the formation of attractive sports destinations is essential to understand how sports activities influence participants’ experiences. This study explores how municipal sports programs and small-scale events shape both the cognitive and affective image of a destination. The research was conducted among 456 adult participants engaged in public sports events and recreation programs in various municipalities across Attica, Greece. Participation was voluntary and based on an open public call. The questionnaire was adapted from (a) scale, which examines the influence of a sports event image on a destination image—it included 17 items measuring the cognitive image destination grouped into four factors: (1) environment, (2) experiences, (3) attractions, and (4) entertainment–infrastructure, as well as 5 items assessing one factor of affective image destination—and (b) a scale for the intention to participate in sports events and exercise programs. The findings provide insights into how community-level sports initiatives contribute to form a favorable destination image, not only through tangible elements like facilities and environment but also through emotional engagement and social connectivity. These results can inform the development of more targeted and impactful local sports programs that enhance participant’s satisfaction and foster long-term community involvement. Full article

Sport in Spain during the dictatorship of Francisco Franco (1939–1975) underwent significant evolution across three distinct political phases: autarky, the technocratic stage, and late Francoism. Each of these periods was characterized by different approaches and uses of sport within the regime’s political structure. In the early years, sport was primarily employed as a tool for propaganda and social control, aligning with the authoritarian values of the state. Subsequently, with the rise of technocrats in the 1960s, reforms were implemented to promote the structural development of the sports system, fostering its modernization and the creation of specialized institutions. Finally, in the late Francoist period, sport became an instrument for international projection, as Spain increased its participation in international competitions and hosted sporting events. This entry analyzes the primary governmental initiatives for the organization and promotion of sport during the Franco regime, with particular attention to the administrative roles played by figures such as José Antonio Elola-Olaso and Juan Antonio Samaranch in the evolving structure of the Spanish sports system. Through an analysis based on documentary sources, it provides a comprehensive overview of Francoist sports policies, their objectives, and their impact on Spanish society. In this regard, sport under Franco’s rule was not only a means of political control but also laid the foundation for the later professionalization and globalization of Spanish sport. Full article

Sports events hold significant importance for host territories, influencing their economic, social, and environmental dynamics. These events generate diverse impacts that shape residents’ perceptions and subsequent support, which are crucial for ensuring long-term success. However, the study of motorsports, particularly rally events at the national championship level, remains underexplored, despite their capacity to attract tourism and foster regional development. This study adopts a quantitative approach, employing a survey of 753 responses collected during the urban track of the 2024 Sierra Morena Rally in Córdoba, Spain. Using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and non-hierarchical Cluster Analysis, residents were segmented based on their perceptions of impacts—touristic, economic, social, environmental, and urban—and their support for the event. The analysis identified three resident clusters: Reluctant Beneficiaries, Pragmatic Resigned, and Convinced Optimists. These groups exhibited varying levels of perceived positive and negative impacts, with significant differences in their support for the rally. The findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of resident perceptions and support for non-mega motorsports events, highlighting the importance of tailored communication strategies and anticipation of the impacts generated. This study addresses existing knowledge gaps by segmenting residents regarding their perception and support for a national-level urban rally event for the first time in the existing academic literature. Full article

The growing awareness of economic, environmental, and social issues related to tourism highlights the need to identify innovative practices that promote sustainability in tourist destinations. This study investigates mega sporting events and their fundamental role in sustainable tourism; these events contribute to tourism promotion by regenerating and revitalizing host areas. However, the increasing demand for transparency in the management of public resources, aimed at ensuring the economic sustainability of the areas hosting these events, has heightened the focus on monitoring resource allocation. Beyond the use of technological innovations, it becomes essential to study the role of innovation in promoting sustainable tourism management practices to guarantee the economic sustainability of destinations hosting major sporting events. A key tool for planning tourism promotion and ensuring economic sustainability is undoubtedly economic impact analysis. Although numerous methods are available, the integration of multiple approaches enhances both the completeness and accuracy of such evaluations. This study proposes an innovative approach that combines different methods to provide a robust approach for economic impact analysis. This research validates the proposed approach through the analysis of two prestigious cycling competitions: the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France. The proposed approach enables the identification of areas where targeted investments and strategic improvements can promote sustainable and long-term economic benefits for host regions. It can support decision-making processes to plan tourism promotion and ensure economic sustainability. Full article

Nutrition plays a key role in maintaining health and physical condition, particularly for active individuals, including athletes. It can therefore be assumed that individuals performing physically demanding tasks during the organization of sporting events, such as volunteers, should also pay attention to their nutrition. While the importance of diet for athletes has been widely studied, the impact of nutrition on sports volunteers remains under-researched. Volunteers often have to cope with varying degrees of physical and mental exertion, which may affect their nutritional needs. A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth individual interviews (IDIs) with 17 sports volunteers who had experience in organizing various sporting events. Participants were purposefully selected based on specific inclusion criteria, which included active involvement in sports volunteering (with a minimum of two years of experience in volunteer activities) as well as volunteering experience at sports events of various scales. The interviews aimed to understand the eating habits, dietary awareness, and impact of nutrition on health and physical fitness. The data were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis, focusing on coding responses and identifying recurring themes. Most participants did not place much importance on their diet, making random food choices due to a busy lifestyle and lack of time. Only a few volunteers consciously adjusted their diet when they had knowledge of the physically demanding tasks they were expected to perform during their volunteer work. The majority of volunteers relied on less reliable sources of nutritional information, such as blogs or social media, rather than credible sources of knowledge. This study revealed that many individuals involved in sports volunteering are unaware of the impact of diet on their fitness and health. There is a need for nutritional education for this group to improve their awareness of the importance of a balanced diet in the context of increased physical activity. It is also advisable to provide better nutritional conditions during sporting events and to promote the use of professional sources of information about healthy eating. Full article

Background: This study investigates the relationship between Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) and social anxiety in sport environments. Social anxiety is a mental health condition that manifests people’s intense fear of being watched and judged by others and worrying about humiliation It is important to research potential tools like VRET that could help to mitigate the impact of social anxiety as people with social anxiety often avoid attending live events due to the venue’s sensory stimuli and the social encounters they anticipate. VR simulation could allow socially anxious individuals to fully experience a sporting event simulation minus the anxiety induced by potential social encounters. VR’s therapeutic effects on social anxiety should be explored when considering several findings of VR intervention to mental health. Aim: The study aims to assess the impact of exposing socially anxious people to a virtual sporting game by measuring their levels of social anxiety, team identification, and intentions to attend a live sporting event before and after the VR exposure. Due to VR’s positive experience, social anxiety is expected to decrease. However, team identification and intentions to attend live sporting events are expected to increase because of VR’s ability to develop sport fanship. Method: Fourteen students with symptoms of social anxiety participated in the study. To create the VR simulation stimuli, the researchers used six 360° cameras to record an NCAA Division-I women’s volleyball game. Participants experienced the sporting event via VR simulation. Data were analyzed via one-group pre- and post-comparison. Results and Conclusions: Significant results were found for behavioral intentions of participants after experiencing the simulation. Social anxiety’s difference was negative 0.22, t(13) = 3.47, p < 0.01. After watching the game in VR, the respondents’ social anxiety decreased significantly. Team identification’s difference was 0.53, t(13) = −3.56, p < 0.01. Lastly, event visit intentions’ difference was 0.24, t(13) = −2.35, p < 0.05. Team identification and intentions to visit a sporting event rose significantly after viewing the game in VR. Full article

Socio-emotional, cognitive, and behavioral learning are emphasized by UNESCO as being essential to the advancement of sustainability. Sports are big events that have a big social, economic, and environmental impact. This study examined the socio-emotional competitiveness of elite Colombian Olympic and Paralympic athletes in relation to their academic background, gender, age, sport type, and modality. Methods: Colombian elite athletes who were members of the “Support to the Excellence Coldeportes Athlete” participated in the study. The total population studied included 334 Colombian elite athletes: mean age 27.10 ± 6.57 years old with 13.66 ± 6.37 years practicing his/her sports modality. The socio-emotional competencies of the participants were assessed using the Socio-emotional Competencies Scale (SECS). Results: In the areas of conflict resolution, emotional control, self-awareness, and interpersonal regulation, men performed better than women. Athletes under 25 years old showed more self-consciousness. Sports, whether individual or team, did not differ. Higher levels of drive, self-awareness, cooperation, and emotional control were displayed by Paralympians. Athletes with a university education demonstrated more drive, self-awareness, empathy, and collaboration. Every competency showed a favorable correlation. Conclusion: Tailored interventions aimed at enhancing socio-emotional functioning are essential for sustainability and should consider variations in gender, age, level of education, and handicap status. The article aims to facilitate and optimize the creation of specific programs to help Olympic and Paralympic athletes in their preparation through socio-emotional competences. Full article

The Special Nature Reserve “Kraljevac” (RK) is located in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, in southern Banat. This first-category reserve covers an area of 264.3 ha and represents a natural item of exceptional importance. The reserve is characterized by significant geological heritage such as loess sections and dune relief, a lake with famous floating peat islands that form the physiology of this wetland, and very rare representatives of flora and fauna. The RK is characterized by the rich cultural heritage of the population living in South Banat. The different ethnic composition of the population and multiculturalism are the main sociocultural tourist motives of this protected area. The Deliblato Sands, known in Europe for their rare geological features, flora and fauna, are located in the immediate vicinity. This significantly increases the value of the RK. Quantitative methodology was used in the paper, which included interviewing respondents as a research technique. The research was conceived according to the Prism of Sustainability (PoS) model. For this sustainable tourism research, a total of 750 respondents (470 residents and 280 visitors) were surveyed. A written and online questionnaire was used in the survey of respondents. By using a questionnaire, respondents expressed their views on certain statements that were grouped into two categories. The claims refer to the natural and sociocultural factors of tourism development in this protected area. Both categories of tourism destination factors can significantly influence sustainable tourism. In addition, we examined the impact of sociocultural and natural factors on respondents’ satisfaction with sustainable tourism. The research results indicate that there is a significant influence of these factors on the satisfaction of residents and visitors with sustainable tourism. The results of this research can provide important information when planning the development of tourism in this protected area. Also, the results can help in the evolution of tourism development at the local, national and regional levels. The forms of tourism that could be central in the RK are scientific research, sports–recreational, ecotourism, bird-watching, events, cultural, gastronomic, and other tourism forms. These forms of tourism can provide environmental, economic and social benefits for this protected area as a tourism destination. Full article

Sporting events were cancelled, and sports training was banned to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These changes during the COVID-19 pandemic decreased the physical activity levels, increased sedentary time, and also impaired the mental health of elite and sub-elite athletes. The impact on body composition and physical performance is not clear, however, especially considering a systematic review with meta-analysis. Thus, our objective was to conduct a review in accordance with the PRISMA Statement studies published in scientific journals (PubMed, Web of Science, or Scopus databases) that investigated the effect that social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic had on the physical performance (muscle power, cardiorespiratory capacity, and sprint) or body composition (body weight, percentage of fat, fat mass, and fat-free mass) of athletes. Data from 24 studies indicate that, throughout the global lockdown, the athletes maintained muscle power, cardiorespiratory capacity, and sprint, and prevented significant changes in fat mass and fat-free mass. However, the total body weight (meta-analysis with 18 studies), showed a significant increase (p = 0.006), with a small ES = 0.12; 95% CI = 0.04 to 0.21. Furthermore, the time of follow-up, level of training, and the age of the athletes were possible moderators of these effects. The data reinforce the importance of general strength and endurance exercises sessions to maintain physical fitness during non-competitive periods or due to the mandatory lockdown. Full article

Environmental sustainability (ES) has generally become an important topic in recent years. In this context, interest in the environmental impact of sport events has also considerably grown. However, not much is known about how people currently perceive ES in mega sport events (MSEs) and if this influences their support to stage a MSE in their home country. To shed light on this question, a survey was conducted in Germany, which resulted in a sample of 917 respondents. The data show that about one-third of them think that ES is adequately implemented in the Olympic Games and the Football World Cup. Around half of the respondents state they are in favour of hosting these events in Germany in the future and multinomial logistic regressions reveal that positive and negative perceptions of the ES of the events are important predictors of support and opposition. The same is true for the perception of the overall brand image of the event. The findings have important implications for future bidding processes because they show that the further development of ES in MSEs might have an influence on the support for hosting these events in Germany and potentially other Western democracies. Full article

The focus of this research is to identify the dynamics of regional economic development through digital trends towards tourist visits and the promotion of tourist destinations in the Lake Toba area during the F1 Powerboat World Championship (F1H2O) event on Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Through the conduct of online research methods (ORMs) in diagnosing digital social issues and trends regarding the events, the results show that there was an effort to maximize the increase in regional economic development, by utilizing the potential and attractiveness of holding the F1 Powerboat as part of sports tourism. As an event aims to spur the movement of domestic tourists to super-priority destination areas, the implementation of the F1 Powerboat event is not only a driving force in the recovery and improvement of the local economy after the COVID-19 Pandemic, but also a venue for the promotion of other tourist destinations in North Sumatra. However, the positive impacts of this event organization on sustainable economic growth in the surrounding areas is not without reservations. The event has received some negative feedback, which include the problems of event preparation and implementation, and also the limited awareness of local community tourism. This research suggests that in order to achieve sustainable regional development and urban resilience, the future organization of sport tourism events should not only focus on the economic objectives, but also on the other aspects including socio-cultural and environmental perspectives. Full article

The aim of this research was to explore and describe the long-term social impact the Rio 2016 Olympic gentrification had in Vila Autódromo from the perspective of former and current residents. Vila Autódromo is a small favela located next to the Rio 2016 Olympic Park. It was almost totally removed during the process of preparing the area to host the Games. In this research, I interviewed 13 residents who passed through the process of eviction threats and displacement. Five still live in Vila Autódromo, whilst eight moved to social apartments provided by the city hall. Interviews revealed that the legacy of Rio 2016 for Vila Autódromo residents can be understood from three broad themes: (1) disempowerment of the community, (2) resistance and resilience during the process, and (3) life after the Games. The residents see the city hall as the main culprit of their displacement, as they were denied their right to the city. However, they also mention the catalytic role of the Olympic Games during the process. They conclude that the legacy of Rio 2016 for them is a very sad story. Full article

The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and should not be taken as reflecting the position of any authority, entity or institution. This article presents the legal status as of 25 June 2022. In accordance with the Directive (EU) 2015/2302 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on package travel and linked travel arrangements, amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 and Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directive 90/314/EEC, tour operators registered in Poland are required to refund payments to travelers in the case of cancellation of their travel package due to extraordinary and unavoidable circumstances within 14 days of its termination. The traveler has the right to terminate the package travel contract before the start of the trip without paying any termination fee in the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring at the destination or its immediate vicinity and which significantly affect the implementation of the package or the transport of passengers to their final destination. In the case of termination of the package travel contract due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, the traveler is entitled to a full refund of any payments made for the package travel but is not entitled to any additional compensation. The tour operator makes the return within 14 days from the effective termination of the travel contract. In the article we will describe the situation during the COVID-19 pandemic and post-COVID times. The significance and implications of our findings and arguments show how important this is in designing a state’s tourism policy. Targeted aid can be designed well in advance of extraordinary and unavoidable circumstances. In our opinion and the opinions of business practitioners, extraordinary and unavoidable circumstances in tourism occur on average every ten years, e.g., the1992 Yugoslavia war, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the research show the effectiveness of legal instruments enacted by the Polish government during the COVID 19 crisis and the war in Ukraine. In the article we use two methods—empirical, related to the authors’ own experience, and dogmatic–exegetical. The empirical research was based on the authors’ experience as those responsible for the implementation of statutory regulations (director in the Ministry of Sport and Tourism and Ministry’s advisor) and on the concept of law as one of the normative systems in society—the operation of law in the sphere of social and economic life, which is tourism. A dogmatic–exegetical method was also used, which allowed for the study of the literature on the subject and the review of legal regulations. In our research, we also used the method of the economic analysis of law (law and economics method). Graphical presentation of the research results and the impact of the introduced support mechanisms on supply and demand indicate the desirability of solutions in this area. Full article

Pau Gasol announced his retirement on 5 October 2021. Subsequently, a number of users virtually reacted. Twitter is one of the most popular social media platforms, with more than 368 million active users, generating large-scale social data. This study used data from Twitter for analyzing social sensing related to an individual brand, Pau Gasol’s retirement announcement, from a quantitative and qualitative content analysis perspective. Pau Gasol’s farewell can be considered a unique event to which many people are emotionally attached, providing a great opportunity for understanding sports virtual ecosystems. A total of 2089 tweets in the English language were recovered from Tuesday 5 October 2021 at 3:00 to Thursday 7 October 2021 at 23:59, Greenwich Mean Time +00:00 time zone. During this time, posts were observed to be mainly influential during and right after Pau Gasol’s ceremony. The tweets that created more impact were published by news sources or by sports reporters. Lastly, the themes that emerged showed that the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA were the two most important milestones in Pau Gasol’s career. The data can be used to detect potential areas of controversy or other issues to be addressed in order to preserve the athlete’s public image. These results are considered of interest for reaching better knowledge of sport virtual environments through social sensing, supporting the idea of users acting as sensors. Full article