The Olympics are often regarded as the world’s foremost multi-sports event, featuring thousands of athletes from more than 200 countries as they compete in a variety of competitions for gold, silver and bronze medals.
“What makes the Olympics unique is that you have all these athletes from around the world coming together to compete in so many different sports,” said Jason Bocarro, the Owens-Shelton Distinguished Professor of Leadership with a Global Perspective in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at NC State.
Held every two years, the Olympics alternate between the summer and winter seasons. The summer competitions range from archery and basketball to gymnastics and swimming, while the winter competitions range from alpine skiing and bobsleigh to figure skating and snowboarding.
People from all around the world tune in to watch the physical prowess of Olympic athletes as they perform feats of strength, speed, endurance and skill. The first day of the 2024 Paris Olympics alone drew more than 32 million viewers.
But the Olympics are more than just a celebration of athletic achievements; they’re a platform for promoting solidarity, according to Jonathan Casper, also a professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.
“The Olympics are unlike any other sporting event in the world because of their capacity to unite people through a shared enthusiasm for sport on a global scale,” Casper said.
Casper and Bocarro have both spent years studying the legacy of mega-sporting events like the Olympics. While these events aren’t always environmentally friendly or financially beneficial for host cities, they can have positive impacts.
Some examples from the Olympics include:
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