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Technical University of Munich

Leisure Studies article looks at the relationship between human rights and major sport events hosting

W00BBR-newscat-mgt, Lehrstuhl-News |

The article entitled “A conceptual model and research agenda for bidding, planning and delivering major sport events that lever human rights” by David McGillivray, Michael B. Edwards, Ian Brittain, Jason Bocarro, and Joerg Koenigstorfer proposes a framework for how progressive human rights outcomes may be obtained in the context of bidding, planning and implementing major sport events. The framework is helpful to host events that are beneficial to large parts of the society, particularly vulnerable populations.

Background and objectives of the study

Major sport events have been the subject of increasing levels of critique in recent years for the social costs associated with their bidding, planning and delivery. The protection and promotion of human rights has become a concern to both awarding bodies and organizers of these events. The achievement of progressive social outcomes, including preserving human rights, starts with the bid and pre-planning stage and will be of upmost importance for future bids. Thus, the goal of the paper was to propose a novel model that shows what pathways lead to the protection of human rights in this context.

 

Design and results

The authors detail four pathways to a rights-based approach to mega sport events and develop this into a proposed conceptual model and research agenda for scholars. The authors argue that through the implementation of good governance, the democratic participation of stakeholders, the formalization of human rights agendas, and the deployment of sensitive urban development, the protection of human rights can be obtained. Based on the conceptual model, the authors propose a research agenda, with accompanying research methods that can provide a roadmap to further the human rights agenda.

 

Implications

If researchers and practitioners want to address some of the critical issues related to human rights and mega sport events, it is imperative that key actors working in the rights sphere are involved in shaping the research agenda and monitoring its implementation. Academics need to take a proactive approach aimed at achieving both theoretically grounded and practically relevant solutions, with engagement occurring over an extended period of time. This approach, avowedly political and concerned with genuine action, is a key way in which event stakeholders can be held to account for their actions in regard to human rights.

The study

 

Contact

Chair of Sport and Health Management

Prof. Dr. Jörg Königstorfer
Secretary: Mirjam Eggers
Uptown Munich Campus D
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 Munich Germany

Phone: +49.89.289.24559
Fax: +49.89.289.24642

info.mgt@sg.tum.de

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