The lasting social impact of mega sporting events: Creating accessible, inclusive legacies

Mega sporting events like the Olympics and Paralympics promise excitement, but do they leave a lasting social impact? Dr. Laura Misener, professor and researcher at Western University, explores how these global spectacles can drive real change—especially in accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. In this episode, we examine what it takes to turn a two-week event into a long-term legacy, why grassroots initiatives matter more than big-ticket projects, and how Para sport can shift public perceptions. From policy to technology, discover the keys to ensuring these events don’t just impress—but improve the communities that host them.

 

Resources:

> Expert insight: Why the Olympics and Paralympics aren’t blended into one Games

> Examining the evolution of network governance forms of an event leveraging collective: a longitudinal investigation

> Beyond Olympic legacy: Understanding Paralympic legacy through a thematic analysis

> Leveraging disability sport events: Impacts, promises, and possibilities

 

This podcast is brought to you by Canada's Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC). Follow along with SIRC's francophone podcast to hear even more of the groundbreaking research and the strategies that propel our teams and athletes forward.