1. Mega-Events, Community Stakeholders and Legacy : London 2012 Debbie Sadd, Centre for Events and Sports Research, Bournemouth University Follow on from Masters work London to be host city in 2012 Lack of comparative research approaches Rich plethora of data easily available yet confusion over terminology ‘the impact of an Olympic games on a host city is immense and profound and requires huge commitment by Governments, business and the community. The sporting programme of games lasts only 16 days, yet their successful staging is the result of years of dedication and hard work by literally thousands of people’ (Hall, 1992, p36) It is the strategic planning before and just as importantly after the Games have ended that will influence the long-term benefits Bramwell (1997). London has the opportunity to be one of the first Games to benefit the local communities in situ but at a cost that may be impossible as impact of global financial crisis may be used as a smoke screen to renege on legacy….. However money could be put to better use Legacy planning must be concurrent with physical construction i.e. every stadia has to have a legacy plan but for whom??? Review need for so many stadia - IOC requirements need to be challenged, and now is the time to save the legacy for east London Findings: What is legacy? Findings - What is legacyBackgroundResearch ‘Imprint they leave’ (before, during and after) 5 legacy commitment areas – 2012 IOC Symposium Translation Alternative descriptors (benefits and impacts) Previous Games have not been regeneration for locals? London refer to regeneration but for whom? Who are the local community? Mixed use housing v mixed use of open space? Popular press view of Legacy ‘is ours to loose’ if we don’t plan properly for long term London has the opportunity to be one of the first Games to benefit the local communities in situ but at a cost that may be impossible as impact of global financial crisis may be used as a smoke screen to renege on legacy….. However money could be put to better use Legacy planning must be concurrent with physical construction i.e. every stadia has to have a legacy plan but for whom??? Review need for so many stadia - IOC requirements need to be challenged, and now is the time to save the legacy for east London BUT…….Security costs – unknown potential expense! Freidman and Miles (2002) Aim; Develop a model for urban regeneration legacies associated with the hosting of mega-events. Objectives; To conceptualise an explanation of the role of Olympic legacy with particular reference to long-term positive benefits. To examine the current literature on Olympic legacies and to formulate commonalities between the selected games. To evaluate best practice models and offer alternative uses and adaptations. To design a conceptual model which encapsulates the positive energy of legacy development for future mega events, with particular reference to the Olympics Interview key informants (24) from previous Games ( Barcelona and Sydney) and then London planning to date Semi-structured interviews, iterative but purposive sampling Phenomenological stance on experiences, perceptions, meanings attitudes and feelings. Data analysed via thematic analysis using Attride-Stirling (2001) framework