Title: Residents' perception of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games: comparison of pre- and post-impacts

Authors: Alexandr Vetitnev; Nadezhda Bobina

Addresses: Department of Tourism, Service and Sport, Sochi State University, 26a Sovetskaya str. Sochi, 354000, Russia ' Department of Economy and Management, Sochi State University, 26a Sovetskaya str. Sochi, 354000, Russia

Abstract: This study is related to understanding the temporal changes of residents' perception of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games. Two surveys were conducted in 2013 (n = 1,048) and 2014 (n = 853). The research questionnaire based on approaches of Fredline and Faulkner (2002) and Zhou and Ap (2009) was developed. Results indicated that local residents' perceptions of the Olympics impacts have significantly improved through the years after the games. All of the positive incomes except 'increased employment opportunities' were found significantly higher and negative issues became significantly lower than before the games. An exploratory factor analysis has shown the change of perception structure after the games: three positive groups ('sustainable development of destinations', 'positive economic impact on travel destinations' and 'improving the quality of resident life') and one negative group of impact items were found. A positive residents' attitude toward the Olympics has transformed into supportive behaviour.

Keywords: Sochi Olympic Games; residents' perception; temporal changes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMM.2018.095225

International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 2018 Vol.18 No.6, pp.453 - 477

Accepted: 08 Aug 2017
Published online: 02 Oct 2018 *

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