ABSTRACT
This study considers the ever-increasing preoccupation those countries hosting mega-sports events have with implementing security and counter-terrorism measures and the consequences of this upon the civil liberties of their citizens. From the seminal, and undoubtedly tragic, events of the Munich Olympics in 1972 until the most recent terrorist attack witnessed at a major sporting event – that which marred the close of the Boston marathon held in April 2013 – this piece reflects upon the full extent of the impact that counter-terrorism measures have had upon the activities of wider society, including the creation of an abnormal host environment prior to and during the sporting spectacle, not to mention its legacy long after the event in question has moved on to its next destination. It suggests that there is a very real danger that mega-sports events create a convenient context within which the impositions of security measures, which are only marginally justifiable in the context of the event in question, continue to be unquestioningly implemented.
