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

Episode 4 • June 04, 2025 • 00:26:26
The lasting social impact of mega sporting events: Creating accessible, inclusive legacies
Sport Intelligence: The Canadian Perspective
The lasting social impact of mega sporting events: Creating accessible, inclusive legacies

Jun 04 2025 | 00:26:26

/

Hosted By

Paula Baker Sport Information Resource Centre

Show Notes

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.
Previous Episode
Next Episode

Other Episodes

Episode 3

April 23, 2025 • 00:23:42
Episode Cover

FUN MAPS: Rethinking the Joy of Sport

What really makes sport fun for kids—and why does it matter? Dr. Erin Sharpe joins the podcast to explore FUN MAPS, a research-based tool...

Listen

Episode 6

August 27, 2025 • 00:30:30
Episode Cover

Concussions and Confidence: Why Mental Readiness Matters in Recovery

Each year, an estimated 200,000 sport-related concussions occur in Canada, affecting athletes of all ages and levels. But recovery is about more than just...

Listen

Episode 5

July 02, 2025 • 00:22:19
Episode Cover

On the sidelines but central: The powerful role parents play in youth sport

Youth sport doesn’t happen without parents—but their role is far more complex than carpooling and cheering. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Nick...

Listen