📋 Written Ability Test (WAT) / Essay Analysis Guide

🌐 Understanding the Importance of “Can hosting major sports events boost the economy?”

Hosting sports events presents a complex trade-off between the potential for economic growth and the risks of financial strain. For B-school candidates, analyzing this topic is vital for insights into economic planning, risk management, and sustainable urban development.

✍️ Effective Planning and Writing

• Time Allocation:
  • 🕒 Reading & Planning: 5 minutes
  • 📝 Writing: 20 minutes
  • 🔍 Review: 5 minutes
• Preparation Tips: Gather relevant statistics, understand key stakeholders, and note examples like London 2012 or Rio 2016 for a balanced argument.

🎯 Introduction Techniques for Essays

• Contrast Approach: “While London leveraged the 2012 Olympics for sustainable development, Rio struggled with financial burdens after 2016, reflecting the mixed economic outcomes of hosting major sports events.”
• Solution-Based Approach: “By emphasizing public-private partnerships, nations can mitigate the financial risks of hosting major sports events while ensuring long-term economic benefits.”

🗂️ Structuring the Essay Body

• Achievements: Outline positive outcomes, citing examples like infrastructure development in South Africa and job creation during the London Olympics.
• Challenges with Comparative Analysis: Discuss financial debt and potential infrastructure misallocation, comparing Barcelona’s success with Rio’s struggles.
• Future Outlook: Suggest sustainable models and alternative funding methods like partnerships to reduce financial risks.

📝 Concluding Effectively

• Balanced Conclusion: “While the economic boost from hosting sports events is substantial, the benefits largely depend on sustainable planning and post-event utility.”
• Global Comparison Conclusion: “Countries should draw lessons from both successful and challenging examples, like London and Rio, to balance economic gains with fiscal responsibility.”

🔍 Analyzing Successes and Shortcomings

• Key Achievements: Boost in tourism, job creation, and global visibility.
• Ongoing Challenges: Debt risk, infrastructure misallocation, and security costs.
• Global Context: Barcelona’s lasting impact vs. Athens and Rio’s debt highlight the need for financial caution.

🔧 Recommendations for Sustainable Progress

• Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage private investment to reduce government expenditure.
• Long-Term Urban Planning: Prioritize infrastructure that serves the community post-event.
• Economic Impact Assessments: Conduct thorough feasibility studies before committing to hosting.