Evaluating the impact of mega sporting events

The 2014 FIFA World Cup’s kick-off is just around the corner. Many balconies and cars are going to be wrapped in national colours and green screens will receive major attention in private homes, bars and on public squares. Football is taking to the stage for a month…whether wanted or not.

The dark side of mega events
The FIFA World Cup is to be one of the world’s great unifying moments, bringing together people and cultures in an international celebration of peaceful competition. Children and adults alike look forward to this event and the many benefits it has to offer before, during and after. However, there is evidence that preparing for and hosting such an event also has a dark side and negatively affects society, especially putting children’s well-being at risk. Children are defined as 0-18 years of age by the United Nations. For numerous Brazilians this ‘football party’ involves existential fears linked to displacement, harassment, violence, abuse, sexual exploitation, etc.

A call for further evaluation
It is important to emphasise both positive and negative effects of mega sporting events such as the World Cup. Some positive effects are linked to sport and development interventions which were created or supported around mega sporting events to use sport as an instrument towards, for example, health promotion, violence prevention or strengthening civil society. However, such positive effects need further evaluation in terms of outreach and sustainability.

A new project (www.childrenwin.org) launched by Terre des Hommes collects evidence and increases awareness on direct and indirect effects of mega sporting events to mitigate risks and enhance opportunities for children. The long-term goal is to include respective criteria into the bidding process and contracts with countries or cities hosting future events.

• Visit the Terre des Hommes website to find out more about the project