Evaluating the volunteering infrastructure legacy of the Olympic Games: Sydney 2000 and London 2012
Authors: Lockstone-Binney, L., Holmes, K., Shipway, R. and Smith, K.A.
Pages: 1-84
Publisher: International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Studies Centre
Place of Publication: Lausanne, Switzerland
Abstract:This project examines how Olympic volunteer programmes can lead to post-Games volunteer legacies for host cities through engagement with the established volunteer infrastructure in host cities before, during and after the events. This volunteering infrastructure being the organisations and programmes in place to promote, support and manage volunteering; including volunteering peak bodies, volunteer resource centres, national governing bodies of sport, community organisations and local government. Two Summer Olympic Games were used as case studies for this purpose: the recent case of London 2012 and the longer-term case of Sydney 2000.
Two research phases were conducted. Stage 1 involved a comprehensive review of secondary data on the Sydney and London Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Stage 2 involved 27 interviews with key informants in each host city. The findings reveal limitations with legacy planning for each OCOG. While SOCOG had no specific remit for legacy planning, the voluntary sector led legacy efforts in Australia. In London there was Government-led legacy planning but the failure to engage with the voluntary sector hampered implementation. Recommendations are provided for host cities and the IOC to enable future Olympic Games host cities and countries to leverage from the Games volunteer programmes to generate wider benefits for their communities.
Source: Manual