Predicting the costs and benefits of mega-sporting events: Misjudgement of olympic proportions?

Abstract

The economic benefits of hosting mega-sporting events are often exaggerated. Ex-ante impact studies typically overestimate the gains and underestimate the costs involved. It is therefore difficult to explain in economic terms the intense competition among cities to hold such events. © 2009 The Author. Journal compilation © 2009 Institute of Economic Affairs.