An exploration of how the Olympics are organised in response to risk. This book looks at the tension between the riskiness of mega-events, attributable to their scale and complexities, and the societal, political and organisational pressures that exist for safety, security and management of risk – leading to changes in how the Games are governed.
This NAO report (HCP 490, session 2007-08, ISBN 9780102954197), provides a progress report on the preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. There are four years still to go until the Games take place and the NAO has set out a number of conclusions and recommendations regarding progress, including and covering the following areas: (1) On programme management and risk. The Government Olympic Committee should establish that the various delivery organisations are able to maintain their programme plan and that all arrangements for achieving their goals are up-to-date; also that GOE should align its risk assessments with the overarching programme plan it is setting in place; (2) On budget management. That the assessment criteria for applications to use contingency funds should allow for spend and save use of contingency, that is spending more on one project if it can help avoid delays later in other areas. (3) On evaluation of legacy benefits. The evaluation framework should set baselines against which to measure legacy benefits and disentangle the effects of the Games from other regeneration activities; (4) On management supplier performance. The Olympic Delivery Authority should be able to show by the end of 2008 that the systems for monitoring supplier performance across all objectives are in place and operating effectively; further the Authority needs to communicate to the suppliers the importance of collaborative working and also the Authority should establish whether effective competition is being acheived by suppliers. The NAO's overall conclusion is that preparations for the Games have progressed in important ways. The construction programme is on track; good practice is evident in the way procurement is being handled; the cost estimates have been developed and a clear baseline has been set for assessing costs and progress in the delivery of the venues and associated infrastructures. For related reports, see HCP 612, session 2006-07, (ISBN 9780102947335); Cm.7216 (ISBN 9780101721622); HCP 252, session 2006-07 (ISBN 9780102944273); HCP 85, session 2007-08 (ISBN 9780215514653).
Event management studies are fast growing in popularity, covering a diverse range of activities such as music and film festivals, concerts, sporting events and conferences. This textbook gives a broad and practical coverage of the major themes in events. Outlining both the historical developments and current state of the industry, whilst also taking into account wider political and cultural issues, the book covers the different elements of planning, project management, health and safety, funding, operations, human resources, marketing and logistics that are vital for successful management. Critical issues such as impacts, sustainability and legacy of events are also discussed. Supported by international case studies and review questions, Events Management provides a current and up-to-date view of the industry in this field.
At the time of London's bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 the cost of the Games was estimated to be just over £4 billion. The costs were to be met by public sector funding of £3.4 billion, with a further £738 million from the private sector. After London was awarded the Games, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Olympic Delivery Authority reviewed the cost estimates and in March 2007 announced a budget of £9.325 billion. The Department has stated that public sector funding will not exceed this figure. The March 2007 budget included contingency provision of £2.747 billion. This sum was not included at the time of the bid. The March 2007 budget also included a preliminary estimate of £600 million for policing and wider security, over and above the cost of site security during construction. No estimate for the cost of policing and wider security was included at the time of the bid. In addition, the Olympic Delivery Authority's programme delivery budget has risen to £570 million, compared with an original estimate of just £16 million. Cost estimates have increased by £5.3 billion, but a significantly lower expectation for private sector funding towards the cost of venues and infrastructure, and the Olympic Village, means the public funding has increased by £5.9 billion. The final cost will depend on disposal of assets after the Games. There is no basis on which to measure achievements regarding the projected legacy benefits of the Games. This report follows the NAO report on this topic published as HC 612, session 2006-07 (ISBN 9780102947335).
Global sporting events involve the creation, management and mediation of cultural meanings for consumption by massive media audiences. The apotheosis of this cultural form is the Olympic Games. This challenging and provocative new book explores the Olympic spectacle, from the multi-media bidding process and the branding and imaging of the Games, to security, surveillance and control of the Olympic product across all of its levels. The book argues that the process of commercialization, directed by the IOC itself, has enabled audiences to interpret its traditional objects in non-reverential ways and to develop oppositional interpretations of Olympism. The Olympics have become multi-voiced and many themed, and the spectacle of the contemporary Games raises important questions about institutionalization, the doctrine of individualism, the advance of market capitalism, performance, consumption and the consolidation of global society. With particular focus on the London Games in 2012, the book casts a critical eye over the bidding process, Olympic finance, promises of legacy and development, and the consequences of hosting the Games for the civil rights and liberties of those living in their shadow. Few studies have offered such close scrutiny of the inner workings of Olympism’s political and economic network, and, therefore, this book is indispensible reading for any student or researcher with an interest in the Olympics, sport's multiple impacts, or sporting mega-events.