Title: Key factors for cost overruns at Olympic Games - establishment of a model

Authors: Maike Weitzmann; Holger Preuss

Addresses: Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 22, D – 55128 Mainz, Germany ' Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 22, D – 55128 Mainz, Germany

Abstract: Olympic Games are repeatedly brought into the context of cost overruns. While various causes for cost overruns in major projects have been widely discussed, no systematic investigation of the reasons for cost overruns at Olympic Games have been conducted, to date. This paper provides a social science model that considers the current state of research on cost overruns in mega projects and at Olympic Games. This makes the complexity of cost overruns more manageable and the identification of causes for cost overruns in large projects much easier. Finally, recommendations to avoid cost overruns at Olympic Games are made. This paper sheds light on the fact that it is necessary to carry out a better review of potential host cities in order to provide greater support to the IOC in the organisation of Olympic Games and to establish an independent commission that would review all processes.

Keywords: cost overruns; Olympic Games; causes for cost overruns; model development; recommendations avoiding cost overruns.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMM.2023.133782

International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 2023 Vol.23 No.6, pp.506 - 522

Received: 24 Nov 2021
Received in revised form: 07 Aug 2022
Accepted: 19 Oct 2022
Published online: 03 Oct 2023 *

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