National Sporting Events Research Articles

Listing and protecting culturally significant events: intangible cultural heritage and policy considerations for hockey broadcasting in Canada

ABSTRACT Listed events are policies enacted by states to protect the free-to-air rights of specific television and radio broadcasts that are identified as being of particular national significance. Some states (including the UK, Belgium, and Argentina) have begun to adopt these listed events policies, typically regarding significant national sporting events. We re-conceptualize listed events as a practical means by which to protect the intangible cultural heritage of states – an issue addressed by international institutions such as ICOMOS and UNESCO. Furthermore, we engage in a critical analysis regarding both the merits and potential problems involved in the possibility of Canada adopting listed broadcasting events policies, specifically involving hockey broadcasts.

FA Cup, UK GDP, FTSE Growth and National House Prices

The current paper examines national sporting events related market anomaly. It assesses an interrelationship between the Football Association Challenge Cup, known as FA Cup, winning team and annual returns for UK GDP, FTSE All Share index over the 133-year competition period as well as house price inflation starting from 1931. To test the hypothesis, the study employs a combination of non-parametric and regression techniques. The former is Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test. The latter is dummy variable regression. As the results of the study suggest, there is no statistical relationship between FA Cup winners and the annual growth in macro-series. All in all, analysts should simply enjoy ‘o jogo bonito’ (the beautiful game) rather than use it’s outcomes to gauge annual market trends.

Transposition of a national sports event into a transnational one on the example of the Spanish El Clásico

Abstract The presented article focuses on the analysis of the transposition of a national event into supranational one, the most striking example of which is the confrontation of Real Madrid with FC Barcelona, known as El Clásico. The text will examine the elements used in the process of recasting the event, which are decisive for giving it a meaning beyond the framework of a single country. The hypothesis is as follows: “While still functioning in the Spanish symbolic space, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have transposed the mutual rivalry through permutation of the national event into supranational one, using elements that constitute and determine the specificity of the club. It was possible through reification of identity and orientation towards the idea of social identity”. It indicates the direction of research, which differs from treating this phenomenon only in marketing terms. It also outlines two basic points of reference, focusing the analysis on aspects related to identification issues. These, as will be shown in the text, determine the possibility of emotional involvement of supporters all over the world in experiencing a national holiday such as the confrontation of the Los Blancos and Blaugrana, without having to decode the primordial component which is political and social conflict.

Perception of Stakeholders on the Compliance of Sports Facilities to Relevant Standards in Selected Universities in South West Nigeria

This paper examines the level of compliance of sports facilities, in selected universities in South-Western Nigeria to relevant standards (National and International standards). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire which was administered on sports men and women (4 male, 2 female). Personnel responsible for maintenance of sports facilities in the universities were also sampled (two groundsmen from each University, the Director of Sports and two other members of the sport Council, Director of Works, four maintenance Supervisors, and two maintenance administrative staff, and eighteen maintenance operatives in each of the selected University). The study incorporated all the fifteen sports featured at the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) competitions. Three federal universities were purposively selected because these have facilities for all the fifteen sports and have hosted national and international sporting events. A total of four hundred and fifty four copies of the questionnaires (454) were administered and (342) copies were retrieved and found useful for analysis. Two hundred and sixty one copies (71.7%) copies of questionnaire were retrieved from sports men and women and 81 copies (90%) from maintenance staff in the universities sampled. Data obtained were analysed using frequency distribution, percentages and mean response analysis. The findings revealed that football field; hockey and cricket pitches were rated very low on the availability of sprinklers. The hard courts were rated very low on ‘crack free’ and ‘free of holes. The swimming pool was equally rated very poorly on pool chemical balance and cleanliness of water. The study concluded that sports facilities in South West Nigeria were not complying with the requisite national and international standards. The study therefore recommended immediate response from the management of the sports facilities in order to return the facilities to normal operations halt accelerated deterioration, correct cited safety hazards and life safety code violations.

Melbourne’s Status as an Olympic City: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives

This study investigates Melbourne’s status as an Olympic city. Beginning with its successful hosting of the 1956 ‘Friendly Games’, Melbourne has subsequently established a vibrant Olympic legacy. This has included the development of world-class sports facilities, especially in the Olympic Park precinct, with the focal point being the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The city has also created Olympic connections via the National Sports Museum, the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia and the Victorian Olympic Council. In addition, Melbourne has earned itself the mantle of Australia’s sporting capital by way of hosting numerous major national and international sporting events. The paper systematically outlines the historical context for Melbourne’s Olympic legacy and by doing so highlights the rivalry and strained relationship that has always existed with Sydney, Australia’s largest city and the host of the 2000 Olympic Games.

A pilot study comparing the metabolic profiles of elite-level athletes from different sporting disciplines

BackgroundThe outstanding performance of an elite athlete might be associated with changes in their blood metabolic profile. The aims of this study were to compare the blood metabolic profiles between moderate- and high-power and endurance elite athletes and to identify the potential metabolic pathways underlying these differences.MethodsMetabolic profiling of serum samples from 191 elite athletes from different sports disciplines (121 high- and 70 moderate-endurance athletes, including 44 high- and 144 moderate-power athletes), who participated in national or international sports events and tested negative for doping abuse at anti-doping laboratories, was performed using non-targeted metabolomics-based mass spectroscopy combined with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariate analysis was conducted using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Differences in metabolic levels between high- and moderate-power and endurance sports were assessed by univariate linear models.ResultsOut of 743 analyzed metabolites, gamma-glutamyl amino acids were significantly reduced in both high-power and high-endurance athletes compared to moderate counterparts, indicating active glutathione cycle. High-endurance athletes exhibited significant increases in the levels of several sex hormone steroids involved in testosterone and progesterone synthesis, but decreases in diacylglycerols and ecosanoids. High-power athletes had increased levels of phospholipids and xanthine metabolites compared to moderate-power counterparts.ConclusionsThis pilot data provides evidence that high-power and high-endurance athletes exhibit a distinct metabolic profile that reflects steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, oxidative stress, and energy-related metabolites. Replication studies are warranted to confirm differences in the metabolic profiles associated with athletes’ elite performance in independent data sets, aiming ultimately for deeper understanding of the underlying biochemical processes that could be utilized as biomarkers with potential therapeutic implications.

전국체육대회 풋살 정식종목 채택을 위한 질적탐색 연구

The purpose of this study is to find out the qualitative search for the adoption of the official sports event of the national sporting event of the futsal sport, and to find out the method of adopting the formal sporting event of the national sporting event, The purpose of this study was to provide basic data. A total of 18participants(10 in the Korea Futsal Federation(city, county), futsal leaders(5), and college were selected. In-depth interviews were held for the instructors(3 instructors) who lectured in the futsal event at the meeting. The following conclusions were obtained.BR First, Futsal is the reason for the adoption of the official sports events of the national sporting events, and the reason for the virtuous circulation structure of the advanced physical sports development type in the developed countries is revealed.BR Secondly, lack of infrastructure (lack of a futsal short, thin athlete) due to the lack of infrastructure of the national athletics competitions, and the problem that domestic soccer players are skeptical about futsal, The lack of a viable number of clubs, and the lack of a long-term master plan for futsal. BR Third, it has been shown that the efforts of futsal related organizations, diversification of promotional methods, quantitative and qualitative supplementation of infrastructure (facilities and leaders), increase of the number of clubs and bring professionalism of the tournament operating system.

Sports – Nation – Television: The cultural dimension of the Listed Events history in Norway

The European Union revised its Television Without Frontiers directive in 1997. One significant catalyst for this change was that the liberalization of the television market led to a situation in which big, national sporting events more and more often were transmitted on television channels with limited coverage. The Listed Events initiative is an attempt to address this situation. This article studies the history of the Listed Events initiatives in Norway from 2000, and seeks, through an investigation of the presentations and discussions of the list proposals, to understand how the lists are connected to Norwegian culture and history. Ultimately, it is a question of national sporting events’ place in public service television in the 21st century.

Playing under pressure: Sport, public service broadcasting and the British Broadcasting Corporation

Using the UK, and particularly the British Broadcasting Corporation, as a case study, this article highlights the difficulties faced by public service broadcasters, who continue to see sports coverage as an important part of their public service remit. Following a brief account of the historical development of sports broadcasting in the UK, the article is divided into two main parts. The first part examines the main challenges faced by the British Broadcasting Corporation, namely a combination of the escalating costs of sports rights and a squeeze on its own finances. The second part of the article then moves on to focus on the continued importance of listed events legislation, which effectively guarantees that certain key national sporting events remain available on free-to-air television via public service broadcasters. The article concludes that ultimately to be able to continue to enhance cultural citizenship through the provision of a range of live sports programming public service broadcasters require more political support.

Sports rights and public service media/public broadcasting: Case studies on economic and political implications

The historic relationship between public service media and major national sporting events is strained and/or broken across the globe. This article offers a broad picture of the recent developments in the global market for sport broadcasting and frames the debate between those who view sport as an essential element of national culture and others, for whom sport is a product best left to the marketplace. This special issue explores the place of sports broadcasting rights in the increasingly contested environment of public service media.

Development of a national sport event risk management training program for college command groups

The US Department of Homeland Security identified college sport venues as terrorist targets due to the potential for mass casualties and catastrophic social and economic impact. Therefore, it is critical for college sport safety and security personnel to implement effective risk management practices. However, deficiencies have been identified in the level of preparedness of college sport event security personnel related to risk management training and effective emergency response capabilities. To address the industry need, the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security designed, developed, and evaluated a national sport event risk management training program for National Collegiate Athletic Association command groups. The purpose of this article was to provide an overview of the design, development, and evaluation process.

Football and the Military in Contemporary Britain

This article examines the relationship between football (soccer) and the military in Britain to explore how “invisible nationalism” has evolved. Here, invisible nationalism refers to the phenomena by which the presence of the military at major British sporting events is both highly visual and has been rendered culturally and politically invisible: It is hidden “in plain sight.” We applied the conceptual framework associated with the “Annales” School of structuralist history to explore how the inextricable links between football, the military, the monarchy, and established church have influenced the evolution of invisible nationalism. We conducted ethnographic fieldwork, including observations, interviews, and focus groups, and also analyzed visual data. These comprised television broadcasts of national sporting events and figures taken at English football clubs. We conclude that the power of the dominant metanarratives of British nationalism serves to render these phenomena invisible to most spectators, especially those who consume football via television.

Re-Employment of Retired Athletes in China

Most countries across the world are facing one problem: how to provide support to retired athletes and help them in re-employment. Different countries have different solutions. Study of the retirement and re-employment of professional athletes in China will help us to understand the differences between it and other countries in dealing with this issue. It will also reveal how China’s elite sport system works and how the government played its part in managing and supporting the athletes. This paper studies the formation and implementation of government policies in relation to the re-employment of retired athletes and points out that the Chinese Government plays an important role in providing financial and human resource support for them. However, the policies have also had some shortcomings. For example, the government takes too much of the burden. Only elite athletes who won medals at important national and international sporting events could get solid support after retirement and most of the athletes who failed to make it to the top were neglected by the government.

Assessing Gujarat's Khel Mahakumbh Event Unlocking Major Opportunities for Youth and Children in the State

United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015 and included Sport for Development and Peace as one of the global action to pursue these goals. Declaration of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has aptly acknowledged the role of Sport. Gujarat has initiated in this direction with the inception of various sports related activities like establishment of Swarnim Gujarat Sports University, Khele Gujarat Mission with yearly sport event like Khel Mahakubh to develop and encourage children and youth of Gujarat towards sports and over all development of the State. The present research article intends to identify these efforts and assessment of the same with specific focus on Khel Mahakumbh. The results are robust in a way the participation of various age groups in various sports event. The efforts of Government have also increased with the budget allocation and establishment of infrastructural facilities all over the State. Though the picture is dismal so far as National and International sports event participation and ranking of the State is concerned. A Holistic approach is needed to track on the efforts of Government for Sustainable Development of the State.

Local Residents Perceptions of the Impacts of Hosting National and International Sporting Events

In this study, it was aimed to determine the perceptions of local residents for national and international sports events. Study was conducted in Alanya which is home to many sports events each year. As a result of analyses, it was determined that the deception of local residents for national and international sports events held at Alanya under eight aspects. These aspects were entitled as “Economical Contribution”, “Sports Culture Imbuing”, “ Traffic Congestion Problems”, “Promotion Instrument and Increasing Brand Value”, “Environmental Harms”, “Social Interaction”, “Infrastructure Development and Bringing Sportive Investment” and “Financial Burden and Underused Capacity Problem”. Within the findings of the study, it was determined that large majority of the participants, even though partially, have information related to the sports events held at Alanya, whereas a lesser part of them attend to the sports events held at Alanya regularly or frequently. In addition to this, it was determined that the participants have a perception that the sports events held at Alanya are imbuing sports culture to local residents, causing traffic congestion problems, increasing the brand value of the destination and procuring social interaction whereas partially providing economical contribution, partially harming the environment, partially developing the infrastructure and bringing sportive investment, partially bringing financial burden to destination and partially causing underused capacity problem.

Physical Profile of West Java Taekwondo Athletes for Pekan Olahraga Nasional XVIII Riau

Background : Taekwondo is a martial sport that is often included in competitions, especially in a national event such as Pekan Olahraga Nasional (PON) XVIII Riau in September 2012. A taekwondo athlete must have maximum physical condition in order to achieve maximum performance. West Java taekwondo athletes who will participate in this national sport event receive centralized exercises as a special preparation stage. This study aimed to determine the physical condition profile of male and female taekwondo athletes for PON XVIII Riau Methods : A quantitative descriptive study was conducted in September 2012 to 15 West Java taekwondo athletes for PON Riau XVIII consisting of 7 male athletes and 8 female athletes. Physical conditions measured were strength, endurance, power, speed, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, agility, and reaction time. The measurement results were then compared to the physical standards data from the head of National Sports Committee of Indonesia (Komite Olahraga Nasional Indonesia/KONI) and were analyzed by percentage category Results : Characteristics in less category were abdominal muscle endurance (male 71.43% and female 100%), cardio respiratory fitness (male 85.71%), and agility (female 37.50%). Characteristics in far category were cardio respiratory fitness (female 62.50%) and agility (male 57.14%) Conclusion : The ability of the physical condition of male and female West Java taekwondo athletes for Pekan Olahraga Nasional XVIII Riau still needs to be improved to maximize achievement. [AMJ.2015;2(1):281–86]

The Study on the Present Situation of Chinese Martial Art Teaching in the Common Universities in China

As the typical number of traditional national sport event, Chinese wushu （Chinese martial art）has always been one of the most important teaching contents in Chinese higher education. Through the methods of document surveying, paper investigating and interviewing, we have done many researches and investigations in 30 general universities and colleges in China. A lot of problems have been found existing in the 30 general universities such as the teaching content is out of date, the teaching means and methods are simplistic, the teaching staff is not enough and the teaching field and equipments are not adequate and so on. In order to solve these problems, many suggestions are put forward, such as spreading wushu culture on the campus, deepening the reforms of wushu teaching, reinforcing the teaching staff and enlarging the investing of funds in wushu teaching and so on.

The Spirit of Australia: Learning about Australian Childhoods in Qantas Commercials

For over a decade the Qantas Spirit of Australia advertising campaign has worked to incite pride and nostalgia in Australian consumers. Its widespread success has led to four renewed television commercials, strategically released to coincide with key (inter)national sporting events, including the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2004 Rugby World Cup. All four Spirit commercials feature children singing Peter Allen's I Still Call Australia Home in picturesque global and national landscapes. As a result of the Spirit campaign's widespread success, Peter Allen's song has become almost synonymous with the Qantas brand. The iconic Spirit commercials are exemplary in (re)affirming the public consciousness towards Australian childhood identity. Exploring national issues of freedom, race, youth and adventure, the commercials are situated among diverse social signs that attempt to typify Australian children. Influenced by post-structural theoretical frames, the author analyses the ‘social’ semiotic dimensions of these advertisements. His intention is to contribute to understandings of the discursive constitution of Australian childhoods in advertising. The unique iconic status of the Spirit campaign, he argues, lies in its capacity to be commensurate with, and (re)affirm, Australia's public perceptions of self and community.

Testing sex and gender in sports; reinventing, reimagining and reconstructing histories

Most international sports organisations work on the premise that human beings come in one of two genders: male or female. Consequently, all athletes, including intersex and transgender individuals, must be assigned to compete in one or other category. Since the 1930s (not, as is popularly suggested, the 1960s) these organisations have relied on scientific and medical professionals to provide an ‘objective’ judgement of an athlete's eligibility to compete in women's national and international sporting events. The changing nature of these judgements reflects a great deal about our cultural, social and national prejudices, while the matter of testing itself has become a site of conflict for feminists and human rights activists. Because of the sensitive nature of this subject, histories of sex testing are difficult to write and research; this has lead to the repetition of inaccurate information and false assertions about gender fraud, particularly in relation to the ‘classic’ cases of Stella Walsh and Heinrich/Hermann/Dora Ratjen. As historians, we need to be extremely careful to differentiate between mythologies and histories.

Design Features That Affect the Maneuverability of Wheelchairs and Scooters

Koontz AM, Brindle ED, Kankipati P, Feathers D, Cooper RA. Design features that affect the maneuverability of wheelchairs and scooters. Objective To determine the minimum space required for wheeled mobility device users to perform 4 maneuverability tasks and to investigate the impact of selected design attributes on space. Design Case series. Setting University laboratory, Veterans Affairs research facility, vocational training center, and a national wheelchair sport event. Participants The sample of convenience included manual wheelchair (MWC; n=109), power wheelchair (PWC; n=100), and scooter users (n=14). Intervention A mock environment was constructed to create passageways to form an L-turn, 360°-turn in place, and a U-turn with and without a barrier. Passageway openings were increased in 5-cm increments until the user could successfully perform each task without hitting the walls. Structural dimensions of the device and user were collected using an electromechanical probe. Mobility devices were grouped into categories based on design features and compared using 1-way analysis of variance and post hoc pairwise Bonferroni-corrected tests. Main Outcome Measure Minimum passageway widths for the 4 maneuverability tasks. Results Ultralight MWCs with rear axles posterior to the shoulder had the shortest lengths and required the least amount of space compared with all other types of MWCs ( P<.05). Mid-wheel-drive PWCs required the least space for the 360°-turn in place compared with front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive PWCs ( P<.01) but performed equally as well as front-wheel-drive models on all other turning tasks. PWCs with seat functions required more space to perform the tasks. Conclusions Between 10% and 100% of users would not be able to maneuver in spaces that meet current Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities specifications. This study provides data that can be used to support wheelchair prescription and home modifications and to update standards to improve the accessibility of public areas.