Sport Mega Events and the Need for Critical Sociological Research: the Case of Euro 2012

Abstract

Euro 2012 was the first Sport Mega Event held in Poland. It has been presented in public discourse in Poland as unprecedented opportunity for modernization and unquestionable success. However, looking at a multitude of data concerning the political, economic and social consequences of the event, allows putting these opinions into question. The paper discusses these topics using the numbers and information from various resources, considering also uncritical support of political circles and mainstream media for the idea of hosting Euro 2012, as well as lack of critical scrutiny of academic circles into the real costs of the event.