Legacies of Mega-Sporting Events in Developing Countries

This chapter engages with the scholarship that emphasizes the benefits of mega-sporting events to host countries, from increasing their international prestige and influence on global politics, through to mobilizing national pride, and serving as a tool of economic development. This chapter also investigates the benefits gained by Lebanon as a result of hosting four regional mega-sporting events since the civil war ended in 1990. Additionally, it examines the similarities and differences between these four events by exploring, in particular, the tangible and intangible legacies. Apart from a review of academic and press articles, primary data was collected by interviewing key stakeholders in the Lebanese sports sector who were involved in the events. Our conclusion is that while the events provided Lebanon with some short-term promotional benefits, they introduced a heavy financial burden, especially in relation to stadium and sports hall construction. Resources to maintain those facilities became a source for corruption.