Book chapter
OA Policy
English

Health Impact Assessment of sports mega-events

Published inCave, B., Viliani, F. & Winkler, M.S. (Ed.), Handbook of Health Impact Assessment, p. 352-369
PublisherCheltenham : Edward Elgar Publishing
Collection
  • Political Science and Public Policy 2026
Publication date2026-05-12
First online date2026-05-12
Abstract

Sports mega-events (SME), such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games (OPG), involve substantial financial investments and have long-term economic, social and health impacts. Despite their potential to promote health and well-being, evidence on their legacies remains inconclusive. The Paris 2024 OPG adopted a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) approach to evaluate its effects and optimize its legacy. Approach/Results: The HIA of the Paris 2024 OPG, conducted between 2016 and 2017, examined key health determinants related to physical activity, employment and environmental conditions. The findings informed the city's legacy strategy, influencing policies on active mobility, social inclusion and sustainable urban planning. However, challenges such as data limitations and a lack of systematic participatory methods were noted. Conclusion: The Paris 2024 HIA demonstrated the value of integrating health considerations into SME planning. Future events should adopt more comprehensive frameworks for assessing long-term legacies, ensuring equitable benefits for all population groups.

Keywords
  • Sports Mega-Events
  • Health Impact Assessment
  • HIA
  • Olympic Legacy
  • Public Health
  • Sustainability
  • Social Equity
Citation (ISO format)
FORBAT, Julien et al. Health Impact Assessment of sports mega-events. In: Handbook of Health Impact Assessment. Cave, B., Viliani, F. & Winkler, M.S. (Ed.). Cheltenham : Edward Elgar Publishing, 2026. p. 352–369. (Political Science and Public Policy 2026) doi: 10.4337/9781035328611.00031
Main files (1)
Book chapter (Published version)
Identifiers
ISBN9781035328611
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31downloads

Technical informations

Creation21/05/2026 08:02:02
First validation16/06/2026 09:32:29
Update16/06/2026 09:32:29
Status update16/06/2026 09:32:29
Last indexation16/06/2026 09:32:30
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