Developing a framework for evaluating Olympic and Paralympic legacies

Abstract

This paper seeks to add to the discourse surrounding Olympic and Paralympic legacies by proposing a flexible research framework that draws from previous research on legacies. It is noted that the bulk of the research has focussed on summer Olympics with little interest in Winter Olympics and virtually none for either the Summer or Winter Paralympics. Using the legacy radar framework, ‘profiles’ may be generated to aid in the comparison between diverse legacies that may occur in different fields, such as sport, infrastructure, social capital, the environment and economic impacts, over a range of dimensions including time, place and costs. It is suggested that this framework has the potential for further development to reflect the changing agendas of host communities and interest groups. The dimensions include positive and negative legacies and metrics that may be applied across events.