On the run: perspectives on long distance running.

The aim of this study was to develop a deeper understanding of the experiences of long distance runners. An etlmographic research design was adopted to understand the nature of the social world of long distance runners through interviews and observations which were thematically analysed. The sample comprised twenty five international informants. The key theme emerging from the data was the strength of identification that participants had with the activity of long distance running. This theme was linked to the search for a running identity amongst participants, exploring how meaning was created through engagement with the long distance running social world. In doing so, the study also explored the enduring benefits of the activity and the high levels of effort, perseverance and commitment displayed. A number of other themes emerged that were seen as consequences of this sense of identification. These included the central role of training and preparing to run, and how this contributed towards participants sense of running identity. This theme included feelings of pain and suffering, confronting problems of injury, and the role of time and space within the participants training regimes. The extraordinary and authentic experiences at long distance running events was a dominant theme incorporating the conflicting emotions of failure and glory, and the importance of travel within the long distance running social world. Feelings of escape and an exploration of the role long distance running fulfilled as a 'third place" outside of the home and work environment were explored, incorporating ideas linked to social relations within the distance running social world. Similarly, the desire to embrace a healthy lifestyle was a central concept, exploring themes linked to seeking self esteem through participation, negative aspects associated with exercise addiction, and the role of the 'running body'. This study provided a series of linked themes exploring the culture of long distance running, and in doing so developed a deeper. understanding of the participants running experiences, contributing towards the body of knowledge on the unique social world of the long distance runne

Exploring the COVID-19 Pandemic as a Catalyst for Stimulating Future Research Agendas for Managing Crises and Disasters at International Sport Events

While the interdisciplinary study of crisis, disasters and emergency management has become increasingly sophisticated, the identification of synergies, useful concepts and future research agendas in relation to studies within the domain of sport event management to inform these areas, is still at a very early stage of development. The far-reaching global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic further illustrates the timely importance of this research agenda for both sports events and broader studies in festivals and events. The purpose of this paper is to critically scope the resilience landscape to help further understand how studies on both International Sports Events (ISEs) specifically and both sport and event management studies more generally, could be better informed by disaster management and resilience studies. The paper highlights eight key thematic areas that merits further investigation, and combines to identify a multidisciplinary research agenda and framework for advancing knowledge on managing crises and disasters in both sport and event management studies

Bouncing Back and Jumping Forward: Scoping the Resilience Landscape of International Sports Events and Implications for Events and Festivals

The purpose of this conceptual paper is to critically scope the resilience landscape to help better understand how future studies on international sports events and venues could be informed by existing work in disaster management and resilience studies. The paper suggests that within the differing benchmarks currently used to define and classify major international sports events, at present crises and disaster management considerations are largely ignored or underestimated. The paper reviews previous research in crisis and disaster management, highlighting the potential for closer synergies between both sport and events studies and crisis and disaster management fields. It contributes new knowledge through the introduction of an International Sports Events resilience continuum to assist with better understanding resilience. The broader implications for events and festivals are highlighted. While the interdisciplinary study of crisis, disasters and emergency management has become increasingly sophisticated, the identification of synergies and useful concepts in relation to both sport and events studies to inform these areas is still at an early stage of development. This paper adds to the limited body of knowledge on sports events resilience, and in doing so highlights potential avenues for future research in both sport and events, in terms of both theory and practice

Some like it hot? Elite female athlete perspectives on competing in extreme climatic conditions at world championship sports events

This paper explores perspectives of elite female athletes competing at world championship sports events, hosted in extreme climatic conditions. From the athlete perspective, it examines the implications of decisions by global sports federations when selecting host cities and the subsequent impacts upon elite athletes competing in unfavourable climates. Using an exploratory case study approach at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, this paper explores insider perspectives of four elite female participants competing in the Marathon. Adopting the ‘elite interviewing’ technique, and based on event participant experiences, the paper prioritises the perspective and ‘voice’ of the athlete. Four key themes emerged from the data. These were (i) the importance of training and preparation; (ii) unique challenges of competition day; (iii) elite athlete retrospection; and (iv) prioritising the perspectives of elite athletes at international sports events. The findings highlight the challenges of managing athlete preparation and performance at world championship events hosted in extreme climatic conditions. The sample size for this study whilst relatively small, is unique. This reflects challenges accessing elite athletes, their reluctance to be interviewed, and the small pool of elite athlete talent available. Given these practical barriers, this represents a good sample size. This paper secures unique insider access to elite level female endurance athletes competing at world championship events. The study makes a contribution to knowledge in event studies by introducing concepts of ‘elite event interviewing’ and the ‘athlete-event paradox’

On the run : perspectives on long distance running

The aim of this study was to develop a deeper understanding of the experiences of long distance runners. An etlmographic research design was adopted to understand the nature of the social world of long distance runners through interviews and observations which were thematically analysed. The sample comprised twenty five international informants. The key theme emerging from the data was the strength of identification that participants had with the activity of long distance running. This theme was linked to the search for a running identity amongst participants, exploring how meaning was created through engagement with the long distance running social world. In doing so, the study also explored the enduring benefits of the activity and the high levels of effort, perseverance and commitment displayed. A number of other themes emerged that were seen as consequences of this sense of identification. These included the central role of training and preparing to run, and how this contributed towards participants sense of running identity. This theme included feelings of pain and suffering, confronting problems of injury, and the role of time and space within the participants training regimes. The extraordinary and authentic experiences at long distance running events was a dominant theme incorporating the conflicting emotions of failure and glory, and the importance of travel within the long distance running social world. Feelings of escape and an exploration of the role long distance running fulfilled as a 'third place" outside of the home and work environment were explored, incorporating ideas linked to social relations within the distance running social world. Similarly, the desire to embrace a healthy lifestyle was a central concept, exploring themes linked to seeking self esteem through participation, negative aspects associated with exercise addiction, and the role of the 'running body'. This study provided a series of linked themes exploring the culture of long distance running, and in doing so developed a deeper. understanding of the participants running experiences, contributing towards the body of knowledge on the unique social world of the long distance runnerEThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Social identity in serious sport event space

Sport events offer valuable experiences in distinctive settings, and serve as settings for social identity formation. Drawing on the literature from a range of disciplines, events characteristics are seen to provide spaces for the co-creation of values, liminality, communitas, flow experiences and authenticity. It is suggested that sport events facilitate career progression in relation to serious leisure and the development of social identification. The paper provides further insight about the nature of event experiences with implications for event management

Proximate tourists and major sport events in everyday leisure

The local and the everyday provide a base resource for an individual to draw upon selectively in the reflexive construction of their leisure lifestyles. Through processes of tourism, however, these everyday spaces can become transformed into tourist products such as through the staging of major sports events. Research often recognises the social impacts sport tourism events can have on host communities yet assume homogeneity across these communities without considering the differentiated leisure lifestyles which characterise them. This paper explores the interplay between the hosting of major sports events and leisure spaces, community and practices of local established sporting communities who are connected to the event through their socio-cultural proximity to the leisure lifestyle and physical proximity to the event setting. The study draws upon qualitative data from interviews with 19 cyclists who live in Adelaide, the host city of the Tour Down Under, an annual professional cycle race and festival. The findings explore the ways in which local cyclists experience the event as proximate tourists drawing upon their knowledge of everyday sporting spaces, local resources and their insider status to inform their identities. The findings examine the ways in which they maintain connections with local places throughout the staging of the event, and highlight some of the tensions this creates in their on-going everyday leisure practices. It argues that organisers of major sports events should utilise the pool of resident participant experts offered through local sports clubs and communities and ensure they benefit from their hosting

Everything is Awesome! Leisure, Lego® Serious Play®, Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Sport and physical activity are frequently cited as effective tools for supporting adolescent mental health. However, not all adolescents are inspired by physical activity, and this presentation proposes an alternative support mechanism, through the power of play. We will identify opportunities to utilise the LEGO® Serious Play (LSP) technique to (i) build resilience; (ii) foster and support mindfulness; and (iii) enhance mental health and wellbeing of young people. The focus is upon creating a positive narrative surrounding those young people so negatively affected by the covid-19 global pandemic. The use of LEGO® Serious Play has been proven in supporting organisations including Google, The International Red Cross, and NASA who have used this method in solving their complex real-world problems (Kristiansen and Rasmussen, 2014). We argue these techniques are equally as effective when applied in the context of supporting adolescent mental health, when delivered in everyday leisure environments. As such, the methodological innovation outlined is not LEGO® per se but opportunities to use it as the tool to deliver bottom-up mental health and well-being outcomes, which are adolescent led. Using recently collected data findings, we demonstrate that LEGO® Serious Play workshops in adolescent leisure settings provide spaces whereby deep learning can happen, a ‘state of flow’ occurs (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990), facilitate positive emotions (Pekrum et al 2002), generate ideas, and help with emotional regulation, positivity, and enhancing adolescent well-being. The preliminary findings clearly indicate LEGO® Serious Play can help adolescents to (re) discover the world and assert their own social identity, whilst also supporting intellectual, communication, emotional and social development, and their sense of self. We also detail potential to (i) improve adolescent well-being by introducing playfulness into leisure settings and help them (re) connect; (ii) offer a mechanism for platforming and amplifying diverse voices and perspectives of adolescents within leisure settings, and (iii) allow adolescents to feel comfortable expressing their personal views and lived experiences, given the focus is more on the model than on the adolescent

Beyond the Glamour: Resident Perceptions of Olympic Legacies and Volunteering Intentions

This study examines factors that influence residents’ volunteering behaviours post-completion of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It posits that residents’ interactions with the event over time and their perceptions of event legacies are likely to exert influence on volunteering. Data were collected in two phases between January 2013 and April 2016 amongst residents living in the borough of Weymouth and Portland. The borough is in the county of Dorset in the South West of England, and was the host destination for the sailing events of the 2012 Games. Our findings revealed that residents’ intention to volunteer post-Games declined from 2013 and 2016. Actual volunteering experience, perceived event legacy, commitment to the community, age and length of residence were found to contribute significantly to future volunteering intentions. While the results provide insights for those seeking to develop event legacy strategies to both recruit volunteers and to better leverage volunteering opportunities, it also cautions the claim of positive volunteering legacy made by the 2012 Games