The Impact of Hosting the Summer Olympic Games on Economic Growth in Developing Countries: A Case Study of the 2008 Beijing Games

摘要

This paper examines the economic growth effects of hosting the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games within the municipality of Beijing and throughout China. To test for the significance of such growth effects, a two-stage least squares regression model with instrumental variables in employed. The regression results provide no evidence that hosting the Olympic Games had a positive impact on economic growth in China or within Beijing, but they do offer evidence that the games resulted in a short-term boost in gross regional product levels throughout the country. Such results suggest that the economic benefits of hosting the games in developing countries are greatly exaggerated, and the role of these supposed benefits in the assignment of Olympic bids should be reduced.