Commonwealth Games Competative Environment

Events Competitive Environment

The Commonwealth Games 2002 was a major hallmark event, held in Manchester over the period of ten days.

Hiller,(2002 p 449)describes a major hallmark event as "short-term high-profile events like Olympics and World Fairs that always have a significant urban impact. They re-prioritize urban agendas, create post-event usage debates, often stimulate urban redevelopment, and are instruments of boosterist ideologies promoting economic growth"

Colin Hall states that "Hallmark events are major fairs, expositions, cultural and sporting events"

With 72 nations competing against each other in 38 sporting and non sporting venues, there was 200 hours of live TV coverage by the main broadcaster alone(BBC).

The Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games had a set of objectives to aim for,

The internet site www.gameslecagy.com stated that the commonwealth games were to:-

Deliver an outstanding sporting spectacle of world significance ,celebrating athletic excellence, cultural diversity and the unique atmosphere.

To deliver a successful event on behalf of spectators and stakeholders.

To leave a lasting legacy of new sporting facilities, social, physical and economic regenerations, particularly around Manchester.

To set a new benchmark for hosting international sporting events in the UK and the long term benefit they can generate for all those involved.

This event is not just for sport, but to unite England and to involve as many people as possible, with the logo " The Spirit of Friendship".

Manchester 2002 Chairman Charles Allen stated: "I can't tell you how proud I am of my team, who have created the biggest and most successful multi-sport event ever held in Britain."

The Manchester Commonwealth Games was the biggest sporting event in England since the 1948 Olympics. The aim was to put Manchester on the map as an international sporting destination and with the support of its major sponsors and stakeholders, to create a post event legacy for its host city.

For seven years Manchester received funding for this major event, throughout the bidding stage regional stakeholders such as the "British Tourist Authority" and the "North West Tourist Board", the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) and " New East Manchester" helped to sponsor the advertising and campaigns in hope of being awarded the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

One of the main stakeholders was the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (DCMS)

The DCMS promotes contribution and benefits of the arts and sports. It fully funds the Arts Council and helps to support and launch major sporting events. As well as investing in major sporting events the DCMS also helps smaller community sports events and schools sports.

Two other major stakeholders were the MCC and Sport England. Sport England is a vital stakeholder in terms of keeping a legacy for the venues after major sports events are held and ensuring that they are all world class standard, another of their aims is to provide legacy for the athletes.

Manchester City council had the job of re-designing and maintaining the event venues and, being host city, had to ensure that Manchester gained as much regeneration from the Commonwealth Games as possible. Whilst working for the Commonwealth Games the