Sports Mega Events

In John Horne’s “Sport Mega-Events and the Shaping of Urban Modernity in East Asia”, the mobility of the human body across a space-time continuum is considered the quintessential component to connect transnational subjectivity. Particularly, transnational competitions, such as sporting mega-events involve many nations. Events such as this provide an opportunity for each nation to enrich their economy, promote their “nationhood”, and display their national pride to the world.
Nonetheless, this causes a backlash, where a conflict is seen between the international community and the local community. Often, the subject – sports spectators from around the world -- tend to be prioritized over local community life: “Beijing has come under the influence …show more content…
The state wants to hide its national deficiencies and unaddressed social problems, considering poverty unsuited for the demonstration of national pride, resulting in the stigmatization and ostracization of low-income families living below the poverty line. Events such as these are ultimately not for the masses, and the resultant urban development planning is based upon the convenience of the transnational elites: “iconic stadium construction is about flagging transnational laces and creating symbolic capital to attract middle and upper middle class visitors” (192 Horne). International spectators, who are not in the upper middle class, tend to view these events virtually; they become a virtual spectator via TV, the Internet, and online streaming. Advancements in technology allow subjects to transcend the space-time continuum mentally and virtually, but also consequently hinder spectators’ physical presence and even their movement: “the Beijing Games may also contribute to the couch potato syndrome as many corporate sponsors and national partners offer products that contribute to sedentary lifestyles” (192