An evidence-based assessment of the impact of the Olympic Games on population levels of physical activity

Summary Pre-Olympic Games predictions commonly include an increase in population-based physical activity the host city, as often stated bid, but post-Olympic effects on have not been summarised. In this Series paper, we aim to do following: examine mentions of a legacy pre-Olympic bid documentation; analyse existing surveillance data collected before, during, and after Olympic hosting areas around world; evaluate Google Trends surrounding London 2012 case study community interest topic exercise during time Games. Before 2007, little mention was made documentation, but, that, most documents had targets for population or sports participation. The synthesis available indicates that there no change prevalence participation, except 2008 Summer Olympics Beijing 1998 Winter Nagano; although, participation Nagano might be attributable since winter sports. showed acute spike searches with term "Olympic" immediately associated period sustained peri-Olympic "exercise". By themselves, improved population-wide important missed public health opportunity. Such will require strategic planning partnerships across International Committee Olympic, sport, agencies thorough evaluation framework implemented throughout country.