Leveraging sports mega-events for physical activity promotion

Sports mega-events have the potential to inspire populations to become more physically active. These events, like the Olympics, Paralympics, and World Cup, capture global attention, fostering a sense of unity and excitement. Host cities often invest in infrastructure, creating new sports facilities and parks that can endure long after the event.

Additionally, the media coverage and role models from these events can inspire people to adopt healthier lifestyles. However, the potential of these events is often not realised. Sustained efforts are needed to ensure a legacy of lasting changes in physical activity and public health. In this keynote, we will learn about the invested efforts of Paris 2024 and cycling mega events to achieve population increases in physical activity.