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The 2022 Winter Olympics: Sharing the Perceptions of Auckland's Chinese Diaspora

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Thesis(1.24 MB)

Date

2020

Authors

Supervisor

Wright, Richard
Godber, Kath

Item type

Thesis

Degree name

Master of Sport and Exercise

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

In 2015, Beijing (China) became the first city to win the rights to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. This research was designed with the intention of discovering the extent to which Auckland’s Chinese diaspora believe that hosting the 2022 Winter Olympic Games will leave a positive or negative legacy for those living in Beijing, China. This research starts with a literature review that explores the existing sport event management research from a triple bottom line perspective (economic, social and environmental). From there, the researcher focused specifically on three types of legacies (economic, socio-cultural, environmental). A qualitative research approach provides the framework for this study. A range of established research methods was used to secure the recruitment of seven participants: four recent Chinese migrants (CM) and three New Zealanders of Chinese origin (NC). Semi-structured interviews were used to gather a valuable data set that was subsequently interpreted using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Eleven positive and eight negative perceptions emerged from the data analysis process, each of which was linked to one of the following legacy-related themes: socio-cultural, economic, reputation, environment, and infrastructure. These themes were compared with the current empirical research literature. From the integration of research findings and literature, some limitations and recommendations were generated. In sum, the majority of the participants placed the socio-cultural impacts as being the most important, followed by economic and reputational impacts. The potential infrastructure and environmental legacies were of less importance. The individual interviews revealed a collective belief that the opportunity for social and cultural exchanges, the facilitation of national cohesion/nationalism (national pride) and an increased opportunity to participate in local sports were all positive impacts of Beijing hosting the Winter Olympic Games in 2022. Concerns about the safety of locals, an abuse/loss of human rights and the disruption to everyday life were raised as potential negative consequences of hosting the event. According to the research findings, further research is required and recommended to investigate the potential impact and legacy of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. For example, more research is needed to investigate the reputational legacy of these Games from a positive and negative viewpoint. Additional research to investigate the environmental and Infrastructural (physical) legacies would also be beneficial (as supported by seven of the research participants). This research offers a valuable starting point for further research and debate about the perceptions of local diaspora regarding sporting mega-events.

Description

Keywords

2022 Winter Olympics, Legacy, Host destination, Mega-events, Perception, Reputation legcay, Economic legacy, Social legacy, Infrastructure legacy, Environment legacy

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Permanent link

https://hdl.handle.net/10292/13545

Collections

Masters Theses