Hosting Major Sporting Events — Band 7 Model Answer

International sporting events of Olympic scaleExaminer notePrecise noun phrase — avoids repeating "the Olympics" verbatim from the prompt. Band 7 LR. are coveted by governments as catalysts for national development, yet the record of host nations suggests the reality is far more complex. On balance, I believe the disadvantages outweigh the advantages for most host countries.

The benefits are real but often overstated. Hosting creates a concentrated burst of infrastructure investmentExaminer notePrecise noun phrase — "concentrated burst" captures the temporary nature effectively. in transport, venues and urban development that would otherwise take decades. FurthermoreExaminer noteCohesive additive marker., the global television audience generates tourism interest and nation-branding value that can boost international perceptions of the host for years afterward.

However, the financial record of Olympic host cities is almost uniformly negative.Examiner noteAdverb "uniformly" strengthens the claim confidently. Band 7 LR. Cost overruns are the rule rather than the exception: the Rio 2016 Games cost approximately four times their original budget, leaving a legacy of underused venues and unrepaired infrastructureExaminer notePrecise noun phrase describing a specific negative outcome. Band 7 TA. in a country with acute social needs. The promised "Olympic effect" on long-term tourism rarely materialises at predicted levels.

In conclusion, while the national pride and infrastructure improvements associated with major sporting events are genuinely valuable, the chronic pattern of financial mismanagement and white elephant infrastructureExaminer noteEstablished idiom used precisely — "white elephant" is a well-known phrase for costly unused assets. Band 7 LR. suggests that, for most countries, hosting is an unwise use of public funds.