An evaluation of the sustainability of the Olympic Games
Details
Download: Müller_et al_2021_Evaluating the sustainability of the Olympic Games_Accepted manuscript.pdf (698.76 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Author's accepted manuscript
License: All rights reserved
State: Public
Version: Author's accepted manuscript
License: All rights reserved
Serval ID
serval:BIB_90B3B8FE1D16
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
An evaluation of the sustainability of the Olympic Games
Journal
Nature Sustainability
ISSN
2398-9629
Publication state
Published
Issued date
04/2021
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
4
Number
4
Pages
340-348
Language
english
Abstract
The Olympic Games claim to be exemplars of sustainability, aiming to inspire sustainable futures around the world. Yet no
systematic evaluation of their sustainability exists. We develop and apply a model with nine indicators to evaluate the sustainability
of the 16 editions of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games between 1992 and 2020, representing a total cost of more
than US$70 billion. Our model shows that the overall sustainability of the Olympic Games is medium and that it has declined
over time. Salt Lake City 2002 was the most sustainable Olympic Games in this period, whereas Sochi 2014 and Rio de Janeiro
2016 were the least sustainable. No Olympics, however, score in the top category of our model. Three actions should make
Olympic hosting more sustainable: first, greatly reducing the size of the event; second, rotating the Olympics among the same
cities; third, enforcing independent sustainability standards.
systematic evaluation of their sustainability exists. We develop and apply a model with nine indicators to evaluate the sustainability
of the 16 editions of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games between 1992 and 2020, representing a total cost of more
than US$70 billion. Our model shows that the overall sustainability of the Olympic Games is medium and that it has declined
over time. Salt Lake City 2002 was the most sustainable Olympic Games in this period, whereas Sochi 2014 and Rio de Janeiro
2016 were the least sustainable. No Olympics, however, score in the top category of our model. Three actions should make
Olympic hosting more sustainable: first, greatly reducing the size of the event; second, rotating the Olympics among the same
cities; third, enforcing independent sustainability standards.
Keywords
Olympic Games, sustainability, legacy, evaluation
Publisher's website
Research datasets
Open Access
Yes
Funding(s)
Swiss National Science Foundation / Careers / PP00P1_172891
Create date
28/04/2021 15:31
Last modification date
22/08/2023 6:13