Research shows value of Olympics volunteer legacies

A recently completed research project for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has examined how Olympic and Paralympic Games’ have transformed volunteering within host cities before, during and after the events.

The study - conducted by Associate Professor Leonie Lockstone-Binney from William Angliss Institute and Associate Professor Kirsten Holmes from Curtin University along with Dr Richard Shipway from Bournemouth University (UK) and Professor Karen A. Smith from the Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand) - was backed by funding from the IOC’s Advanced Olympic Research Grant Program.

The study, Evaluating the volunteering infrastructure legacy of the Olympic Games: Sydney 2000 and London 2012, identified how Olympic volunteer programs can lead to post-Games volunteering legacies for host cities through engagement with the established volunteer management infrastructure.

It also presented a series of recommendations for realising a sustainable and positive post-event.

Commenting on the findings, Professor Lockstone-Binney stated “the purpose of this research project was to provide recommendations for host cities and the IOC to enable future Olympic Games host cities and countries to leverage from the Games volunteer programs to generate wider benefits for their communities.

“The findings, based on a comprehensive review of secondary data for each case, combined with 27 interviews with key informants, revealed limitations with legacy planning for each Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG).

“While SOCOG in respect of the Sydney Games, had no specific remit for legacy planning, the voluntary sector led positive legacy efforts in Australia. In London, there was Government-led legacy planning but a failure to engage with the voluntary sector hampered implementation.”

Click here to view Evaluating the volunteering infrastructure legacy of the Olympic Games: Sydney 2000 and London 2012.

Image (from left): William Angliss Institute Associate Director Higher Education and Quality Paul A Whitelaw, Associate Professor Leonie Lockstone-Binney and Chief Executive Nicholas Hunt.

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