Reviving the Flame

2. Methodology
This chapter presents the different strategies and methods used to conduct the research. It allows the
reader to better understand the planning and processes undertaken to gather information and data, that
allowed the author to formulate recommendation for stakeholders.
2.1. Topic Selection
The choice of the Olympic Winter Games (OWG) 2026 was decided following various suggestion in
different domains. The author’s interest originates in her enticement for winter sports. Being a ski teacher
herself, and having achieved her tourism bachelor in health and sport, the case study also showcases her
native town and its related context and trends, bringing further appeal to study this topic. Lastly, “Sion
2026” is a capital project for the city’s positioning as an international winter destination, and studying its
potential can bring professional benefits to the writer in the future.
2.2. Context
This research can be defined as “ex ante” given that the case study has not taken place yet. Based on
the literature review and various readings, it can be deducted that processes and happenings before the
host city’s election is usually not studied. In this context, to improve documentation on the organisation
and management of the OG, this study concentrates on finding information and data to better understand
what leverages are and can be organised during the candidacy stage to foster and achieve desired legacies.
Thus, this piece was realised in a progressive context, with constant changes and new information from
medias and public opinions.
2.3. Research Strategies
Firstly, online and library researches were undertaken to gather general information related to the topic.
The focus was given to the Olympic Games and the IOC to get a good grasp of their importance as mega
event and international organisation. The notion of “Sport Mega Event” emerged, which emphasize the
impact of the OG as well as FIFA World Cup or Commonwealth Games on the international scene as sport
events. Alongside, the author collected in a table the different arguments in favour and against the OG, to
facilitate the readers’ overview of the international Olympic Games debate.
This ground knowledge, highlighted more specific key concepts for the topic: the “legacies” and
“leverage”. To define and offer the best understanding of these matters, further documentation was
researched and read, to emphasize several principles linked to these notions (i.e. economy, social,
technology, etc.).
Methodology 2