Routledge Handbook of Sport and Legacy

<p>What remains of a great sporting spectacle after the last race is run or the final match is played? How can the vast expense of mounting such events be justified? What if there is nothing left behind or what if the legacy is negative a costly infrastructure which is unused or a debt-ridden host city? The <em>Routledge Handbook of Sport and Legacy</em> addresses perhaps the most important issue in the hosting of major contemporary sporting events: the problem of 'legacy'. It offers a rigorous innovative and comparative insight into this contested concept from interdisciplinary and practical perspectives. </p> <p>Major events must now have a conscious credible and defined policy for legacy to meet public expectations. The book provides a comprehensive survey of the various kinds of legacy that can be delivered as well as a close examination of the potential benefits and practical challenges involved in each. From 'hard' legacies such as stadia and infrastructure to 'soft' legacies including skill development attitude change and capacity building the book offers both a historical case study and an innovative strategic management approach and establishes the limits of what can realistically be achieved in terms of economic social cultural physical and sporting development.</p> <p>The <em>Routledge Handbook of Sport and Legacy</em> includes contributions from world leading scholars and practitioners and features detailed case studies of major sports events from around the world including the FIFA World Cup and ten Olympics Games from London in 1908 to London 2012. It is invaluable reading for students and researchers working in sport studies events management human geography economics or planning and an essential reference for any professional engaged in delivering legacy through sport.</p>