Sports mega-events compared to small events: reflections considering the brazilian recent reality

Abstract

The objectives of this article are (1) providing public policymakers, politicians, and others with useful comparative knowledge so they can better support their opinions, decisions, and actions concerning mega-and small events, besides (2) facilitating bibliographical research for students and researchers. The literature shows that the impacts of mega-events are a controversial topic. In Brazil, host of the 2013 Confederations Cup, 2014 FIFA World Cup, and 2016 Olympic Games, there is still some relevant discussion as to whether the country, already in need for improvements in priority areas such as health and education, should host mega-events of that sort. Another discussion concerns whether it would not be better to prioritize small (and not mega-) events in different countries as a whole. Politicians and companies that are interested in mega-events frequently overestimate their positive impacts on the hosting society, whereas the specialized literature considers that the balance of the real impacts is not necessarily positive, and even tends to be negative. Based on that, a understanding emerged and became strong in the literature in the sense that small events are more beneficial, have more chance to succeed, and have greater positive social-economic impact -being, thus, recommended in the place of mega-events for countries in general. Research topics are suggested in the end of the article.