ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how mega sports events have been used to promote Asian cities' urban development. It discusses the two case cities namely: Beijing – which has hosted various international games and will host the 2022 Winter Olympics – and Guangzhou, which has hosted two National Games and the 2010 Asian Games. The chapter begins with a brief review of studies on mega event strategy, legacy creation and sustainable development. This is followed by a characterization of the development strategies of host cities regarding the post-event legacy at different levels and on different tiers. The chapter then presents challenges regarding legacy creation and how host cities increase the leverage of positive legacy. It highlights the contrasts and contradictions of using sports events as a catalyst to stimulate a positive legacy in host cities and, ultimately, sustainable development.
