Sporting Events Research Articles

Sentiment Analysis on the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina Using Support Vector Machine

The decision made by FIFA regarding the selection of the soundtrack and the host country for the FIFA U-20 World Cup has sparked emotional reactions among the public and raised concerns about the event, especially on social media platform X. This is due to FIFA’s decision to choose a soundtrack not from the host country, Argentina, but from the previous host, Indonesia. FIFA should advocate for the creation of a soundtrack by the host country to reflect its distinctive characteristics or atmosphere. Concerns about the U-20 World Cup in Argentina have also been fueled by the country’s economic crisis, which is feared to affect the facilities and infrastructure for the young players representing their nations. This research focuses on filtering public responses to FIFA’s decisions regarding the soundtrack selection and the host country for the U-20 World Cup into positive, neutral, and negative categories using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) method. The research aims to provide policy recommendations regarding the host selection process and cultural representation in international sports events. Additionally, this study is expected to provide a deeper understanding of the preferences and values held by the public regarding international sports. The research steps include data collection, pre-processing, labeling, weighting, and classification using a Support Vector Machine. The data for this research were obtained through crawling on social media platform X, totaling 2400 data points. The performance evaluation of the SVM algorithm using a 50:50 ratio of training and testing data yielded an average accuracy of 85.71%, Precision of 85.98%, Recall of 85.71%, and F1-score of 85.58%.

Healthy environments for athleTes (HEAT): environmental conditions along a 90km ultra-marathon event, South Africa.

This paper provides an overview of the HEAT (Healthy Environments for AthleTes) project, which aims to understand the impact of environmental conditions on athlete health and performance during major sporting events such as long-distance running, cycling, and triathlons. In collaboration with the SAFER (Strategies to reduce Adverse medical events For the ExerciseR) initiative, the HEAT project carried out a field campaign at the 2022 Comrades Marathon in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The measurement campaign deployed seven weather stations, seven PM2.5 monitors and one spore trap along the 90km route to capture spatially representative measurements of complex micro-climates, allergenic aerospora, and particulate matter exposure. The results indicate that runners were exposed to moderate risk heat stress conditions. Novel findings from this initial campaign shows elevated and potentially harmful PM2.5 levels at spectator areas, possibly coinciding with small fire events around the race day festivities. Our findings show values PM2.5 levels over the WHO 24-h guidelines at all stations, while 2000µg/m3 at two stations. However, the lack of an acute exposure standard means direct health impacts cannot be quantified in the context of a sport event. The HEAT project highlights important aspects of race day monitoring; regional scale climatology has an impact on the race day conditions, the microclimatic conditions (pollution and meteorology) are not necessarily captured by proximity instruments and direct environmental measurements are required to accurately capture conditions along the route.

The relationship between sport event experience and psychological well-being: the case of a “Sailing Marathon”

The relationship between sport event experience and psychological well-being: the case of a “Sailing Marathon”

Recreational Practices and Employee Performance in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Kenya

Employee welfare practices in organizations, which involve offering various recreational programs in the workplace, are crucial for enhancing motivation and increasing performance among staff members. Therefore, the primary aim of this research was to determine the relationship between recreational activities and employee performance in Kenya while also considering the moderating influence of top management commitment on employee performance. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey approach that incorporated both qualitative and quantitative methods. The research population consisted of 14,323 NGO employees in Nairobi County, Kenya, with 403 participants, including top managers, middle-level managers, and lower-level managers. The selection of respondents was done through stratified, simple random, and purposive sampling techniques. Primary data were collected through questionnaires, while secondary data were obtained from peer-reviewed books, articles, and journals. The study was grounded in relevant theories such as Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Herzberg's two-factor theory, and Human Relations Theory. A pilot study was conducted to ensure the reliability and validity of the research tools. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences, version 25, with inferential and descriptive statistics, including frequencies, means, correlations, and multiple linear regression. The findings of the study were presented through pie charts, graphs, and tables. The results indicated a positive and significant relationship between recreational practices like staff parties, team building, and sports events and employee performance. Moreover, it was found that top management's communication, policy development, and budget allocation significantly moderated the relationship between recreational practices and employee performance. Additionally, a linear relationship was observed between the independent and dependent variables. In conclusion, the study emphasized the importance of recreational practices in enhancing employee performance, especially when supported by top management commitment.

მულტიმედიური ჟურნალისტიკის განვითარება საქართველოში

As a result of the modernization of the information space and various information technologies, we have the opportunity to watch wars, natural disasters, sports events and others on television. Every day we receive international news from all over the world. A characteristic feature of the Internet today is media convergence, the technological fusion of content in various mass media. In recent years, the Internet has truly become a hub of convergence, a place where music, television shows, radio stations, newspapers, magazines, books, and movies are created, distributed, and presented. Today, computers and mobile phones are the most popular digital devices for online convergence, which can themselves create or stream books, movies, music, video games, and any other form of digital media. Today's global media market does not consist of any particular place, space or habit, it no longer has dimensions such as time and borders. It is permanently established in the digital world and cyberspace, on the screens of all computers and interactive televisions connected to the Internet, as well as mobile phones and still unbelievable inventions. In the digital age, where technologies are evolving every day, it is very important to adapt to innovations and news in time. In the modern world, the introduction of technological innovations in the means of mass communication is taking place rapidly, which has completely changed the forms of information dissemination. Today, accuracy, promptness, flexibility and interactivity are the key elements of modern multimedia journalism.

Analisis Pengelolaan Water Sports Event Sebagai Destinasi Wisata Olahraga di Danau Ranau Kab. Oku Selatan Prov. Sumatera Selatan

Analysis of the Management of Water Sports Events as a Sports Tourism Destination in Lake Rana, South Oku Regency, South Sumatra Province. The focus of research is to discuss the formulation of the problem and the purpose of this study are: a) To study and analyze how to plan the implementation process and evaluation of the implementation of water sports events in Lake Ranau District. South OKU, South Sumatra Province. b) To study and analyze how the implementation of water sports events in the District. South OKU, South Sumatra Province. c) provide an alternative strategic policy that can be done to optimize the planning process to the implementation of water sports events in the Regency. South OKU, South Sumatra Province. With data collection techniques used are observation, interviews, and questionnaires. The data analysis model used is the SWOT analysis method (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threats). This study population transferred 30 people consisting of the community and the organization in the Lake Ranau area. This research is expected to offer alternative strategies for optimizing, planning and implementing water sports events.

The Relationship between Sports Events and Branding; A Symbiosis of Sports and Brand Marketing

Sports events are witnessed with number of sponsors. The sponsorship of sporting events results in the promotion of a certain brand in exchange. Various sports events attract masses of crowd not only in ground but also on various media. It gives marketers the option to target such large masses of people and turn them into patrons who are devoted to their brand. This study focuses on the relationship between sports event and sponsoring brands. Sponsorship of sports is a great way for a company to become more visible. The brand is exposed to a large audience on athletic stages and in the media by associating with a sporting event or team. Making the most of distribution channels, including press appearances, social media, television broadcasts, and stadium advertising, is crucial to maximizing this visibility. The study is of qualitative nature using in depth interviews. Findings of the study suggest that there exists a mutually beneficial relationship “symbiosis” between sports and sponsoring brands. In the conclusion, this study highlights the dynamic relationship between sports and brand marketing, highlighting the continued significance of sporting events as crucial platforms for consumer interaction and brand promotion in modern international marketplaces.

Economic Impact of Major Sporting Events on Local Economies

Purpose: This study sought to explore the economic impact of major sporting events on local economies. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the economic impact of major sporting events on local economies. Preliminary empirical review revealed that while such events often yielded significant short-term economic benefits, including increased tourism revenue and job creation, their long-term sustainability remained uncertain due to common challenges like cost overruns and underutilized infrastructure. Factors such as event scale, location, and management influenced the extent of economic impact, with effective planning and stakeholder engagement playing crucial roles. Legacy planning and sustainable development strategies were deemed essential for maximizing economic benefits beyond the event itself, with a focus on inclusivity and social equity. The study emphasized the importance of ongoing research and evaluation to inform future decision-making processes regarding event hosting and resource allocation. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Urban Economics theory, Tourism Economics theory and Public Finance theory may be used to anchor future studies on the economic impact of major sporting events on local economies. Researchers emphasized the importance of conducting comprehensive economic impact assessments prior to hosting events, facilitating informed decision-making. Legacy planning and sustainable development strategies were advocated to ensure that event-related investments contributed to long-term economic development. Stakeholder engagement and collaboration were prioritized to distribute economic benefits equitably. Diversifying revenue streams and leveraging ancillary economic opportunities were recommended to maximize economic benefits. Additionally, promoting destination branding and tourism development was highlighted as a key strategy for attracting investment and business opportunities. Policymakers were advised to adopt a holistic approach to event planning, integrating economic, social, cultural, and environmental considerations to host successful and sustainable events.

O habitus político e as políticas públicas de esporte do Estado do Espírito Santo – Brasil

The political interest of public actors in public sports policies in Brazil is recent and gained prominence mainly due to the main global sporting events hosted in the country, such as the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. State of Espírito Santo, the development of the Esporte Pela Paz Project stood out as a strategy to combat violence against children and adolescents, highlighting sport as a transformative instrument for the exercise of citizenship, quality of life and social inclusion. In this sense, the objective of this research was to investigate the political habitus of the State of Espírito Santo in the years 2011 to 2014, namely in the adjustment of the field of policies of the Department of Sport and Leisure. Specifically, we sought to verify how and to what extent the political habitus of political agents interfered in the Esporte Pela Paz Project. To do so, we used qualitatively different sources of data collection, namely: semi-structured interviews and analysis of official documents. The research covered, in its entirety, the universe of former managers and ex-expense coordinators of the Municipal and State Secretariats who were responsible for executing the Project in the years 2011 to 2014. The interpretation of the collected material was carried out according to the technique of Content Analysis based on the categories that were defined a priori. It was concluded that a habitus prevailed among public actors that guided the standards of a certain course of their actions and that interfered in the adjustment of the field of policies of the Secretariat of Sports and Leisure, namely through the Sport for Peace Project. It was also found that a cycle that could be virtuous became vicious, due to the failure to consider limits to hegemony and the maintenance of power.

Cultural Diplomacy through Sports: Case Studies of International Sporting Events Promoting Diplomatic Relations

Purpose: This study sought to examine the relationship between international sporting events and cultural diplomacy. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to international sporting events and cultural diplomacy. Preliminary empirical review revealed that international sporting events played a crucial role in fostering diplomatic relations between nations. Through an analysis of various tournaments, including the Olympics and FIFA World Cup, the study found that sports served as a universal language, transcending cultural barriers and fostering mutual understanding. Effective coordination among stakeholders was highlighted as essential in maximizing the diplomatic potential of these events. The study emphasized the need for ongoing research and evaluation to refine strategies and address challenges, ultimately enhancing the diplomatic impact of sports on the global stage. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Soft Power theory, Constructivism and Network theory may be used to anchor future studies on international sporting events and cultural diplomacy. The study made several recommendations to advance theory, practice, and policy in sports diplomacy. It suggested that scholars refine theoretical frameworks to capture the complexities of cultural diplomacy through sports, while policymakers incorporate evidence-based strategies into diplomatic practice. Collaboration among stakeholders was encouraged to pool resources and share best practices, while integration of sports diplomacy into broader foreign policy agendas was deemed essential. Furthermore, inclusive and sustainable practices within sports organizations were recommended to promote diversity and social inclusion. Lastly, the study emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and capacity-building efforts within the sports diplomacy community to drive innovation and learning in the field.

The Impact of Mega Sports Events on the Strength of the National Soft Power: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract This article examines the strategic use of mega sports events as a means to enhance national soft power, exploring the complex interplay between international sports diplomacy and geopolitical influence. The study will examine how these events serve as means of economic and cultural diplomacy and also as platforms for global interaction through a comparative analysis of countries that include South Africa, Brazil, Russia, Germany, and Qatar. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research synthesizes the existing literature and case studies to provide information on the objectives, strategies, and outcomes associated with hosting such events. This study aims to contribute to the larger discussion on soft power and its effectiveness in the modern international arena by analyzing the complex effects of these mega events on national branding. It does this by providing a nuanced understanding of how major international sporting events can affect geopolitical dynamics and shape international perceptions.

Prevalence and predictors of elevated cardiac troponins among athletes after participation in a sports event: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Prevalence and predictors of elevated cardiac troponins among athletes after participation in a sports event: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The temporary polyclinic in the Olympic Village

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a sporting event that welcomes more than ten thousand top-level athletes. These athletes require daily care before and after training and competition, but are also prone to serious injuries. The polyclinic, set up in the athletes' village, will provide a wide range of high-quality care for the various delegations. Urgent care will be provided by the hospitals of the Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, which are responsible for the administration of the polyclinic.

Developing a High-Performance Sports Results Prediction Artificial Neural Network: Case Study on World Championship Boxing

Abstract Major sports events are watched by millions around the world and the prediction of event outcomes is a subject of interest to many stakeholders which underlines the relevance of continuous development and improvement of prediction models. This study uses a factorial design methodology to develop and test 18 Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models for the prediction of world championship boxing matches. The methodology was applied to evaluate the individual and collaborative effects of feature selection, ANN architecture and training data selection on the prediction performance of ANNs. Feature selection was found to be the most influential factor on prediction performance with a statistically significant Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) between the feature selection levels and the test accuracy (p-value of 0.012). The collaborative effect of training data selection and feature selection on prediction performance was found to be statistically significant with ANOVA p-value of 0.007. The best performing model achieved a test accuracy of 81.53% which is an improvement to current benchmarks for sports prediction. The findings of this study contribute to the development of future machine learning sports prediction models.

Hosting mega sporting events in the extreme hospitality context: Why do hotel employees engage so intensively in their job duties?

Purpose This paper aims to identify why hotel employees in the Egyptian context accept the extreme job duties resulting from hosting too many mega sporting events and what outcomes they experience as a result. Design/methodology/approach The empirical data is based on semi-structured interviews with 36 hotel employees working in reservations, front desk and events management roles in four 4-star hotels located in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Thematic analysis was subsequently used to determine the main ideas in the interview transcripts. Findings The findings show that hotel employees accept the extreme job duties resulting from hosting mega sporting events for the following four reasons: linking pay with performance, difficulty finding alternative jobs, proving their occupational identity and being subject to patriotism. Furthermore, this paper highlights that the engagement of hotel employees in extreme work conditions during such mega-sporting events might be detrimental to their mental health, resulting in increased cronyism and gender bias among them. Originality/value This paper is a pioneering study to specifically investigate how hosting mega sporting events influences the extremity of work conditions for hospitality sector employees. Prior studies (to the best of the authors’ knowledge) have not theorised and empirically analysed this specific topic, especially in under-researched settings, such as developing countries in the global south.

The Effect of University News Production Practices in Large Sports Events - A Study of Zhejiang Gongshang University's Coverage of the Hangzhou Asian Games from User/Producer Perspective

The Hangzhou Asian Games, a key international sports event in 2023, provides China with an opportunity to showcase its global standing, following the Beijing Olympic Games and Shanghai World Expo. Zhejiang Gongshang University's Culture and Sports Centre serves as the handball competition venue, with about 1,200 teachers and volunteers engaged across various Asian Games sites. Despite this, the university's media impact falls short compared to peers in Hangzhou with Asian Games venues. This research explores the news production practices of universities during large-scale international sports events, focusing on improving Zhejiang Gongshang University's media coverage and influence. Utilizing in-depth interviews and The Uses and Gratifications theory, the study analyzes news production related to the Asian Games on the university's official website, social media, and newspapers. Interviews include both producers and audiences of this news.Findings indicate a disconnect between media reports and the diverse needs of media users, with news production primarily driven by informational and promotional objectives. Recommendations include diversifying themes and forms of media coverage, enhancing creativity and interactivity, adopting a proactive and strategic approach to media communication, and leveraging new media platforms for more engaging content.

Media aspects of the relationship between politics and sports using the example of the Russian Federation’s exclusion from international competitions

RELEVANCE. The relationship between politics and sports is a pressing issue, since political contradictions between states are reflected in sports. Major sporting events are not just competitions between athletes, but also fierce political struggles. Through professional sports with the help of various media technologies, it is possible to influence global society and achieve geopolitical results. The relationship between elite sports and politics is considered using the example of the exclusion of Russian sports from international competitions and materials about this in the media.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Materials from foreign media have been studied on the topic of removing Russia from big-time sports, depriving it of state symbols, removing Russian athletes from international competitions due to disagreement with the political course of the authorities of the Russian Federation, and the introduction of so-called sanctions in the field of sports. The study was based on a comparative historical method, which helps to consider the dynamics of the development of relations between Russian sports and the political course of Western countries. The theoretical basis was the work of domestic and foreign researchers of the history and theory of sports. Content analysis was also used to study materials from Russian and foreign media with the aim of determining the attitude of foreign states towards Russian sports and its oppression in the international sports arena from 2014 to 2024.RESULT AND DISCUSSION. An analysis of foreign media materials confirms that pressure on Russian sports is being exerted by Western countries due to their disagreement with the political course of the Russian Federation. An analysis of sources showed that Western media agree on the issue of sanctions against Russian sports: they support the introduction of restrictions against Russian sports, but at the same time they call such measures an instrument of geopolitics, an instrument of “containing Russia”. This confirms the politicization of sports through the media.CONCLUSION. Analyzing the content of publications in both foreign and Russian media, we can conclude that pressure on Russian sports and members of the Russian national team began to intensify after the victory of the Russian team in the team event at the Olympic Games in Sochi 2014 and after the Republic of Crimea joined the Russian Federation . After the Russian Armed Forces launched a special military operation in Ukraine, even more sanctions and restrictions were introduced against Russian sports, and Russia was actually excluded from international sports. The author believes that the pressure on Russian sports will only increase.

Another market segment: sport event tourism by disabled athletes

Sports and tourism are connected in various parts of economies, cultures, and nations. However, there has been a limited understanding of sports event tourism involving disabled athletes. This study explored the behavioral and socio-demographic implications of the disabled sports event tourism and investigated the motivational factors involved. An in-person survey was administered to 108 disabled athletes who attended the summer and winter Paralympics. A Structural Equation Model was used to determine the association between the factors of life satisfaction, emotional happiness, escapism, perceived value, and future intention, using the Monte Carlo parametric bootstrapping method to test significance of direct and indirect effects. Cronbach was acceptable because it exceeds 0.70 which satisfies the cut-off of confirmatory factor analysis. In addition, the individual values of average variance extracted (AVE), were greater than 0.50 (0.72) which meets the requirement and the convergent validity of all the constructs. The results showed that life satisfaction had a significant direct effect on future intentions. Emotional happiness had a significant direct effect on the perceived value of an event. Escapism had significant direct effects on perceived value and future intentions. Perceived value significantly influenced future intentions. The relationship between emotional happiness and future intention was fully mediated by perceived value. However, the relationship between escapism and future intention was only partially mediated by perceived value. The results of this study are valuable for developing future management and marketing policies for disabled athletes and tourists to advance the existing sports event tourism and disabled athlete’s behavior studies.

Influencing Factors of the Orienteering Team of Coaches in Selected Universities in Guangdong Province, China

Orienteering has its origins in early field military activity in Sweden. Hong Kong, China is the first region in China to come into contact with orienteering. In 1983, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Sports Institute held the "Orienteering Experimental Competition" in the Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area of Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, which opened the prelude to the development of orienteering in China. Orienteering is a representative high-level comprehensive sports event for college students in Guangdong Province, China, with the sports teams participating in the Guangdong University Games and the Guangdong University Orienteering Championship from 2018 to 2022. Among them, the China Guangdong University Games (held every three years in 2019 and 2022 respectively), the China Guangdong University Student Orienteering Championship (held once a year), combined with the statistics of the registration list of the events in the past five years, a total of 84 universities participated in the China Guangdong University Games and the China Guangdong University Student Orienteering Championship. This study has certain scope and limitations in formulating the research plan and direction. Firstly, this paper analyzes the spatial distribution characteristics of orienteering teams in colleges and universities in Guangdong Province. The main objective is to verify the influence of sports human resources, sports facilities resources, physical education teaching resources and sports training resources on the development of orienteering teams in Guangdong Province, China. Questionnaires were distributed and collected in this study. A total of 84 universities participated in the above 6 orientation activities for college students in Guangdong Province, and 5 representative universities were selected as research objects. Among them, four orienteering teams with the university as the research object have achieved good results in the competition and have been established for a long time, and the other university is a place where researchers work. One coach and four athletes per university. Respondents felt that different resources had a strong sense of identity with the impact of orienteering on Guangdong University in China. There was no significant difference between the self-efficacy level of the respondents and the impact of orienteering on Guangdong University, China, and there was no direct relationship between the two resources. According to the results of the study, a framework for strengthening orienteering in universities in Guangdong Province can be developed to improve the level of orienteering strength in universities in Guangdong Province, China.

Post Utilization of the Venues of the 31st World University Summer Games

This study explores the post-game utilization of venues at the 31st Summer Universiade and assesses respondents’ satisfaction with venue services. The study found that although large-scale sports events such as the Summer Universiade are held in China, the issue of venue utilization after the games has become an urgent problem that needs to be solved. Although a lot of manpower and material resources have been invested in the construction of modern sports venues, they often only focus on the requirements during the event and ignore the operation and utilization of the venues after the game. In this context, through a survey and analysis of 278 respondents, this study found that venue infrastructure and recreational and leisure facilities scored higher, but other aspects such as venue facilities, accessibility, service personnel, catering services, etc. scored lower Low. Respondent satisfaction is positively correlated with gender, but not significantly correlated with other demographic characteristics such as age, education, occupation, etc. In social services, product appearance is positively evaluated, but functionality and reliability are not. Finally, the study found that only reliability and transportation accessibility were positively related to satisfaction, emphasizing the important impact of transportation on venue reliability. In summary, this study provides important reference value for solving the post-match utilization issues of large-scale sports event venues. It is recommended that while improving service levels and facility quality, strengthen the function and reliability of social services and pay attention to transportation accessibility, to improve the satisfaction of using the venue after the game.