The overarching framework guiding this research suggests that the initial levering of progressive social opportunities begins with expectations of good governance of the MSE with a belief that more formalized arrangements may lead to the inclusion of the most vulnerable or affected groups ‘voices’ throughout the bidding, planning and delivery stages. In this research pathway the focus is on how relevant institutional actors, including international sport organisations, host governments, and host organizing committees operate to protect and promote rights through the platform of MSEs. Research enquiries will focus on the key actors involved in decision making during the pre-event (key leveraging potential), delivery, and post-event environment (s). These actors include: 

  • International sport organizations 
  • Host city stakeholders including local, regional and central governments and organizing committees 
  • NGOs and civil society groups 
  • Vulnerable and affected groups including persons with a disability, migrant workers, women, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, children and those experiencing socio-economic deprivation 

The degree to which sport organizations and host city stakeholders formally open the decision-making process to vulnerable and excluded populations is critical to understanding the potential for democratization and increased accountability of the MSE to deliver on positive social outcomes, preserving and promoting the rights of affected groups. Ultimately, assurances of good governance and transparency by host organizations should be expected by International Sports Organisations as part of the bid process. 

Current blog posts on Pathway 1: organizational characteristics, arrangements, and expectations

2019 Japanese Rugby World Cup impact on human rights and the development of political capital

By Mark Piekarz, Coventry University The visit to Japan involved visiting 6 of the 12 stadiums and towns which held rugby games, which gave more micro, operations insights into the impact of the event. A mix of data collection methods were used, ranging from...

Mega events, governance and human rights: United 2026

By Callum McCloskey, PhD researcher at University of the West of Scotland (UWS). I recently returned from a two-month mobility to the US; its purpose to carry out observation and conversations, as the first phase of my study, entitled: ‘Mega Events, Governance and...

Exploring mega sport event governance: Chiara Rinaldi

I spent one month in mobility from the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) to North Carolina State University (NCSU) in the USA. The general focus of my research was the (mega) sport event governance process in the USA. I was welcomed at NCSU by Jason Bocarro, Mike...