Rebecca Pfitzner, Andrea Schlegel, Wojtek Kulczycki, Benjamin Pfister and Fabian Schleidt have been conducting surveys and experiments on the spot in order to develop a better understanding about the host population’s perspective on sports mega-events. „The so-called Cariocas, the local people of Rio, are very open-minded and helpful. Their willingness to take part in our studies is extremely high, because the people want to express their dissatisfaction with the political and social situation in their country as well as with the organizers of the World Cup,“ says Rebecca Pfitzner. In her thesis, she deals with health-related benefits for the host population that is caused by the FIFA World Cup. Her research focuses on changes in quality of life, well-being, stress, and intercultural sensibility.
Further research activities of the research team
Besides health-related consequences for the host population of sports mega-event, the research studies consider the presence of corruption, social inequality and high organization costs in connection with the perception of both the World Cup itself and all other organizations that are involved in the World Cup. The team considers the perspective of both the local community and the tourists. Wojtek Kulczycki states: „After almost 1.500 surveys, we are very satisfied with the quality of the data.“ The data analysis starts at the end of the games of the World Cup and will be published in scientific journals in the near future. This enables stakeholders to better plan sports mega-events, in particular with regard to the needs of the host population (e.g., reduction of social inequality) and the aim to limit corruption to the lowest limits possible (e.g., investment in infrastructure).
The „Copa“ (Copa do mundo) and the Brazilian attitude to life
The team has experienced the Copa via all senses and cheered for the German national team when it won 4:0 against Portugal and 1:0 against France in the stadiums (see picture in the Maracanã stadium), among others. Besides these experiences, the team will keep impressions from the public viewing on the beach of the Copacabana, as well as the atmosphere caused by the event in the population and among tourists. During the data collection, they became familiar with the Brazilian lifestyle, too. They want to carry the calm, zest for life and warmth to Germany when they get back to Munich. Andrea Schlegel appreciates the friendliness of the Brazilian people: „At the end, the Cariocas even thank us (after participation in the study) and wish us „boa sorte,“ which means good luck, for the study.“
Contact
Department of Sport & Health Management
Prof. Dr. Jörg Königstorfer
Secretary: Mirjam Eggers
Uptown München Campus D
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 Munich
Phone: +49.89.289.24559
Fax +49.89.289.24642