Do Olympic Games have democratic impact in host country?

19 September 2025

Researchers in Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences at University of Hamburg present results

The Olympic Games have neither a positive nor negative impact on democracy in the host country, according to researchers at the University of Hamburg, a press release said Monday (July 28, 2025). Researchers in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences had analysed the extent to which major sporting events such as the Olympic Games have an impact on democracy and human rights in the host country. The results could encourage organizers to hold the Olympic Games in democratic countries.

Study found "no impact on democracy"

The researchers analysed the development and change of democracy in more than 102 countries between 1972 and 2019 and linked it to organising the Olympic Games. Changes in the protection of human rights and the level of political participation were analysed. The following applies to both democratic and autocratic countries: "In our calculations, we were able to determine that the level of democracy in the countries changed over the course of the study period, but we were unable to identify any significant influence of the Olympic Games - either positive or negative," said Wolfgang Maennig, head of the study and Professor of Economics and Economic Policy at the University of Hamburg.

Arguments for Olympic Games?

The result contradicts the Olympic Committee's argument that holding the event in autocratic countries would lead to greater respect for human rights, democracy, and freedom of the press. Although short-term positive effects could be observed, a long-term strengthening of democracy would not occur, according to Maennig. Excluding this argument could have a favourable effect on Germany's bid to host the Olympic Games, for which Hamburg is also bidding.
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