Can International Sporting Events Stimulate Civic Sports Activities?: A Case Study of the 12^th Asian Games Hiroshima 1994

Abstract

This study aimed to track long-term changes in civic sports activities after an international sporting event, focusing on the sports policies of local governments hosting the event, through a case study of the 12^th Asian Games Hiroshima 1994. Based upon the analysis fidings, I identified three points for activating civic sports activities through holding of international sports events. The first is that holding an event does not directly activate civic sports activities. Continuous implementation of sports measures by local governments is necessary to activate such activities. The second is that the local government should establish a citizen sports promotion policy based upon relevant domestic and foreign policy trends, regional issues, and requests from citizens, and position international sports events within that policy. The third is that local governments should flexibly update their systems and mechanisms to promote civic sports activities in response to changes in social and regional conditions in order to secure and sustain the legacy. In conclusion, continuous implementation of measures by local governments is essential to make international sporting events stimulate the promotion of civic sporting activities, and the measures should be appropriately established and updated in accordance with regional issues and requests from citizens.