ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the relationship between mega-events on one side and sports practice, tourism and recreation on the other side. First, the chapter investigates how the cariocas reported their relationship with sports throughout the preparation phase for the Rio2016. The results reveal that sports practice can be further encouraged in the city. Among those who did not practice sports in 2015, a lack of interest and time are the main reasons for not doing it. Regarding a comparison between Rio’s and São Paulo’s students, results reveal that despite the low offer of physical activity inside Rio’s schools, especially in private ones, students in Rio de Janeiro managed to stay more active out of the school environment. Regarding tourism, in 2014 and 2016, Brazil had an increase in the number of international tourists and receipts. The short-term impacts on tourism related to these mega-events were confirmed by the data. Finally, expenditure on recreation, culture, sports and tourism increased for Rio between 2009 and 2018 even when compared with peers in the metropolitan periphery or in São Paulo. However, the increase in the average expenditure was not followed by an increase in the share of the population who actually have this type of expenditure.
