Powerless and overlooked: a longitudinal examination of marginalised communities in major sport events

Abstract

The agenda of hosting major sport events (MSEs) has long been a political priority, promising transformation for host communities, yet the experiences of vulnerable and marginalised populations within this agenda remain understudied. This study examines how marginalisation is manifested in the context of MSEs, the extent to which legacy promises align with marginalised residents’ needs and interests, and how power dynamics shape their experiences and engagement with such events. Drawing on Lukes’ theory of power, the study adopts a longitudinal qualitative design, collecting data through seven focus groups with disadvantaged communities before and after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Data were analysed following the principles of qualitative longitudinal research, integrating analysis of themes, cases, and time, attending to temporal depth and process. Findings showed that existing socioeconomic challenges shaped participants’ perceptions of the Games and reinforced their exclusion, with event priorities and recognition of needs structured by uneven power relations instead of a straightforward balance of benefits and costs. A persistent divide between material needs and aspirational interests left event participation secondary for marginalised residents, while promotional rhetoric intensified feelings of exclusion where structural barriers and unmet needs remained unaddressed. Longitudinal comparison revealed more continuity than change, as distrust in government and daily struggles sustained a self-perpetuating cycle of disengagement. Extending theories of power through an intersectional lens, the study highlights the importance of MSE planning and legacy delivery that recognises marginalised populations and addresses underlying inequalities, so that the benefits of hosting such events can be more equitably shared.