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the impacts of past Games. Writing about the impact of Sydney 2000 less than
one year after the Games were staged is not enough time to do either extensive
research or to see the real impacts of the Games.
Therefore, this paper will explain the structure of the economic and social
impacts of the Sydney Olympic Games and will present data that is already
available. The Olympic Games have an impact on social issues such as the
volunteer movement, recognition and understanding of minorities, employment,
living conditions, health and last but not least national pride. The economic impact
always results in social impacts, because the investments create jobs and change
the structure of the city, while in the case of indebtedness the citizens may have
to bear increased taxes such as in Montreal. However, hosting the Olympic Games
always changes a city and creates both winners and losers (Preuss 2001b).
2. Overview
The economic and social impacts of the Olympic Games are many and
differ from Games to Games because conditions in each host city and their
aims vary with each Games. Before looking at specific impacts they are put in
temporary order.
Year Situation Impact
Approx.
1988 Idea to bid - first thoughts about Olympic requirements Impact I
1991-1993 Prove to be able to reach Olympic standard - Feasibility Impact II
studies; writing of bid-book; projects to persuade the
IOC; reaching agreements
9/23/1993 Winning the bid
1993-2000 Construction of and preparation for the Games Impact III
2000-? Use of structure and initiation of follow up impacts Impact IV
Table 1: Timetable of impacts of the XXVII Olympic Games in Sydney 2000.
Impact I appears years prior to the presentation of a formal bid to the IOC.
Before Sydney entered the Olympic race for the 2000 Games, it had to win the
Australian bid race, with Brisbane (bid for 1992) and Melbourne (bid for 1996)
the other contenders. The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) avoided intense
internal lobbying by arriving at a consensus to put forward Sydney for 2000
(Burroughs 1999: 39). The idea to bid forced the city to think about its ability
to host the Games in 2000. Impact II was created by the city's plan on how
to reach the Olympic standard. At that time strategic projects started such as the
construction of sport facilities (e.g. Sydney International Aquatic Centre - opened
1994), attracting other large sporting events prior to the Games or the agreements
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