Introduction
Governments validate large investments in elite sports by emphasising the benefits that are generated by elite athlete success and the hosting of international events. Sporting events are frequently associated with increased tourism, new facilities and infrastructure development as well as intangible outcomes, such as national identity, civic pride, diplomatic recognition and sports development at both elite and mass participation levels (Preuss 2007). The ‘Trickle Down Effect’ is a principle used to convey the increase in grassroots participation with direct correlation to a particular sporting event. It denotes an advance of social capital through sports growth that is achieved in the form of a general increase in physical activity …show more content…
Both sides of the spectrum have been researched through diverse investigation methods. Some secondary data estimates suggest that non-professional participation increased following the hosting of the 2000 Olympics with reported growth in the non-Olympic sports sector with a notable increase on non-competitive walking (Waitt 2001). Unfortunately, this conclusion is relatively speculative considering the failure of relevant organisations to maintain adequate and consistent data collection (Weed 2012). Conversely, with the existence of a more stable data collection system and increasing awareness of the idea of a sport participation legacy, it was possible to form more reliable estimates of the pattern of grassroots sports participation following the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games (CG). Numerous studies which analysed data from a comprehensive nationwide primary survey of over 12000 Australian residents show that there is no clear connection between the hosting of sports events or the focus on elite sport and mass participation (De Bosscher & Van Bottenburg 2011). Veal, Toohey & Frawley (2012), for example, used secondary analysis of national survey data on 3 events, finding no positive correlation between elite Australian athlete’s success and development in mass participation. With the CG came a measurable increase in seven sports while another nine decreased their uptake of new members. Conclusively, by observation of existing reports it can be deemed that the ‘Trickle down effect’ remains uncritically
Governments validate large investments in elite sports by emphasising the benefits that are generated by elite athlete success and the hosting of international events. Sporting events are frequently associated with increased tourism, new facilities and infrastructure development as well as intangible outcomes, such as national identity, civic pride, diplomatic recognition and sports development at both elite and mass participation levels (Preuss 2007). The ‘Trickle Down Effect’ is a principle used to convey the increase in grassroots participation with direct correlation to a particular sporting event. It denotes an advance of social capital through sports growth that is achieved in the form of a general increase in physical activity …show more content…
Both sides of the spectrum have been researched through diverse investigation methods. Some secondary data estimates suggest that non-professional participation increased following the hosting of the 2000 Olympics with reported growth in the non-Olympic sports sector with a notable increase on non-competitive walking (Waitt 2001). Unfortunately, this conclusion is relatively speculative considering the failure of relevant organisations to maintain adequate and consistent data collection (Weed 2012). Conversely, with the existence of a more stable data collection system and increasing awareness of the idea of a sport participation legacy, it was possible to form more reliable estimates of the pattern of grassroots sports participation following the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games (CG). Numerous studies which analysed data from a comprehensive nationwide primary survey of over 12000 Australian residents show that there is no clear connection between the hosting of sports events or the focus on elite sport and mass participation (De Bosscher & Van Bottenburg 2011). Veal, Toohey & Frawley (2012), for example, used secondary analysis of national survey data on 3 events, finding no positive correlation between elite Australian athlete’s success and development in mass participation. With the CG came a measurable increase in seven sports while another nine decreased their uptake of new members. Conclusively, by observation of existing reports it can be deemed that the ‘Trickle down effect’ remains uncritically