Describe the pattern of birth places in 1990 and how it has changed by 2010.

Suggest three possible reasons why the sphere of influence of this league’s supporters has grown in size since 1990.

“Local people do not benefit from hosting an international sporting event.” Discuss this statement.

In 1990, the focus is UK and Europe [1 mark] with an additional 1 mark for quantification, clarification or elaboration. There is a wider geographical distribution in 2010 than in 1990 [1 mark].

Award 1 mark for quantification, clarification or elaboration, e.g. North America had no players in 1990 but now has several.

Answers that attempt to list specific changes rather than describing patterns should be limited to 2 marks.

The answer requires three separate, valid reasons. Possible answers include:

• Growth in popularity
• Increased advertising and marketing in new areas
• Increased exposure in different media
• Increased wealth and development allow for growth of new markets
• Impact of globalization
• Impact of global competitions sparking interest
• Greater population mobility.

Each valid reason should be credited 1 mark with an additional 1 mark for saying how the factor has altered the sphere of influence.

Reasons to agree with the statement include:

• Organization of events is usually done at national or international level therefore some leakage can occur. Multinational investment and sponsorship prevents the needs of local people being met.
• Likely increase in local problems – traffic, house prices etc.
• Effects are short-term and interest in local issues wanes after event.

Reasons to disagree with the statement include:

• Legacy of investment in infrastructure and amenities for use by the community
• Employment provided
• Inward investment
• Requirements for sustainable development are more likely to be met.

While examples are not a specific requirement of the question, those answers that provide supporting examples are likely to access the higher markbands.

To access bands E and F, responses should present a balanced discussion that considers both reasons to agree and disagree with the statement and may realize that some benefits are not always clear cut and have a temporal aspect – short-term/long-term.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

This was answered well by the majority of candidates.

Too many answers focused more on the players than the supporters, though many had good reasons for changes in size of the sphere of influence.

The benefits of international sporting events to anyone other than locals (such as major corporations, national economy, etc.) were often totally ignored. Answers were generally stronger on the benefits for the local people but often did not consider longer-term effects beyond the event itself.