The Benefits of Host Country

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UNIVERSTY OF WESTMINSTER The benefits to the host country of staging the Summer Olympic Games outweigh the drawbacks. Lauren 18th July 2014 The benefits to the host country of staging the Summer Olympic Games outweigh the drawbacks. Discuss. The Olympic Game is one of the most important events in the world. Some countries such as China and Australia had already the chance to host it, in 2016 Brazil will have this opportunity too. History has shown that to hold a large event such as this has advantages and disadvantages. The purpose of this essay is to discuss if the benefits of staging the Summer Olympic Games outweigh the drawbacks to the host country. This will be done in four paragraphs, each paragraph will present the advantages and disadvantages within the following topics: politics, economy, tourism and environment. An Olympics can be the opportunity for a country to show its political power to the world. It is a moment to strengthen influence with groups and main trading partners according to McDermott (cited in Pandya, 2009:3). A nation is capable to increase its global influence through these factors, which can bring further advantages, ‘given that PR is managed well’ (Anholt cited in Pandya, 2009:2). But, if it is not well managed, the hosting country will follow the Athens 2004 example, which failed to raise its profile among other countries (ibid) ending with a low return from the investments that were made and no influential political power. From the economic point of view, there are many advantages in hosting this event. One of them is the chance to demonstrate that ‘the country is serious about attracting foreigners and foreign business’ as Rose and Spiegel speculate (cited in Pandya, 2009:2). The export trade of the host country usually increases after the games (ibid). Wolfgang (cited in James, 2008:1) also notes that the tax and

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