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Introduction: Purchase behavior in the case of merchandise licensed by major sports events has seldom been studied. To fill this gap, this study tested a hypothetical model, which integrated related studies on professional sports, interscholastic sports, normal merchandise, and tourist souvenirs, using the Taipei 2017 Universiade as a case study. Methods: A survey was conducted with consumers who visited and made purchases at four physical stores in Taipei City; 462 valid questionnaires were collected. The questionnaire content included personal background, sport event identification, product attributes, perceived value, and purchase intention. The relationships between variables were tested using a structural equation model. Results: The results supported the path of "sport event identification → perceived value → purchase intention" indicated by the purchase of products licensed by professional sports and interscholastic sports. Specifically, sport event identification not only directly affected purchase intention, but also indirectly affected it through perceived value. The results also supported the path of "product attributes → perceived value → purchase intention" when perceived value was an intermediate variable derived from the purchase of normal merchandise and tourist souvenirs. Sport event identification had an overall higher effect on purchase intention than product attributes. Conclusion: Sport event identification can affect purchase intention directly as well as indirectly through perceived value. However, product attributes can only trigger purchase intention through the intermediate effect of perceived value. The results of this study not only illustrate the practical implications of the variables sport event identification and product attributes, but also provide possible directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of ZARCH: Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Architecture & Urbanism is the property of Universidad de Zaragoza and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents information on the Federation Internationale du Sports Universitaire (FISU) and its World University Games. The FISU is of European origin and was founded in 1948 in Luxembourg. Some of the important objectives of the FISU are: to encourage the development of physical education and sports among students of all countries by exchanging information on university sports; organizing international university sports; upholding and promoting the moral values of sport on an amateur basis; promoting sports competitions; exchanging student athletes; and fostering international understanding among future world leaders. Ever since 1948, the FISU's Executive Committees have involved national leaders representing such professions as education, law, medicine, physical education and sport administration. In 1957, through the membership of the United States National Student Association, the U.S. became affiliated with the FISU. Currently, FISU has approximately 60 member nations governed by a General Assembly that meets every two years following the summer World University Games. It holds summer and winter games for university students.

This article intends to understand factors that determine provincial governments’ attitudes in supporting China’s international mega sports events. Through examining the tasks completed by the Guangdong provincial government for the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and the 2011 Shenzhen Summer World University Games, the findings confirmed that the political consideration of central leaders, the personal judgements of provincial authorities as well as the factional connection of municipal chiefs were all significant. The article concludes that to scrutinize all the powerful figures of the central, provincial and municipal governments is essential for future academic works with the aim of comprehending the attitude of the Chinese provincial governments towards any sport-related issues. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The 16th Universiade, an international multi-sport event, was hosted in Shenzhen, China from 12 to 23 August 2011. During this time, officials instituted the Pearl River Delta action plan in order to enhance the air quality of Shenzhen. To determine the effect of these controls, the current study examined the trace elements, water-soluble ions, and stable lead isotopic ratios in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) collected during the controlled (when the restrictions were in place) and uncontrolled periods. Fine particles (PM2.5) were collected at two sampling sites in Shenzhen: "LG"--a residential building in the Longgang District, with significant point sources around it and "PU"--Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School in the Nanshan District, with no significant point sources. Results from this study showed a significant increase in the concentrations of elements during the uncontrolled periods. For instance, samples at the LG site showed (controlled to uncontrolled periods) concentrations (in ng·m-3) of: Fe (152 to 290), As (3.65 to 8.38), Pb (9.52 to 70.8), and Zn (98.6 to 286). Similarly, samples at the PU site showed elemental concentrations (in ng·m-3) of: Fe (114 to 301), As (0.634 to 8.36), Pb (4.86 to 58.1), and Zn (29.5 to 259). Soluble Fe ranged from 7%-15% for the total measured Fe, indicating an urban source of Fe. Ambient PM2.5 collected at the PU site has an average 206Pb/204Pb ratio of 18.257 and 18.260 during controlled and uncontrolled periods, respectively. The LG site has an average 206Pb/204Pb ratio of 18.183 and 18.030 during controlled and uncontrolled periods, respectively. The 206Pb/204Pb ratios at the PU and the LG sites during the controlled and uncontrolled periods were similar, indicating a common Pb source. To characterize the sources of trace elements, principal component analysis was applied to the elements and ions. Although the relative importance of each component varied, the major sources for both sites were identified as residual oil combustion, secondary inorganic aerosols, sea spray, and combustion. The PM2.5 levels were severely decreased during the controlled period, but it is unclear if this was a result of the controls or change in meteorology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to identify dimensions of brand image of an international sport event. Athletes and official team delegates participating in the 2009 Summer Universiade held in Belgrade, Serbia, were interviewed. Data analysis revealed five core event image dimensions: competition, emotional, social, cultural, and organizational. These themes related to past research but showed a more balanced interplay between the competition and socio-cultural images of the event. Implications for event and tourism marketing include the communication of certain imageries to key consumer groups as well as the provision of experiences that reinforce or alter event imagery. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this paper is to examine why athletes do not dope in sport. The research treats the 'problem' of doping as an issue of 'control' and draws on control theory (Hopwood, 1974; Byers, 2013) to analyze athletes choices not to engage in doping. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with current Canadian athletes, former athletes, coaches, and officials from seven different sports that competed in the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport), national and international events, professional sport, Pan American Games, provincial teams, and World University Games. In total, 20 interviews were conducted with 7 female and 13 male participants. Results indicate that an overabundance of administrative formal control mechanisms may be creating confusion and inefficiency in the doping control system. More powerful control mechanisms such as social and self-controls seem to be operating amongst athletes and issues of trust and the role of emotion are significant concepts that require further research in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to identify and explain the key factors supporting the bid of Taiwan [Taipei] to host the 2017 Summer Universiade. In tackling this subject, this study employs content analysis to elucidate how and to what extent the issues associated with this successful bid are portrayed by investigating a collection of material, including nine interviews and a review of published and unpublished documentary materials derived from government reports, parliamentary debates, academic journals, and media commentaries, among other sources. The study concludes that the experience of having hosted international sporting events, having existing facilities and venues, and having tacit consent and support from China were all important contributing factors to Taiwan's success. Among these factors, the ‘acquiescence’ from the Chinese government and relevant actors to Taiwan's ‘demands’ appeared to play a particularly important role. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article analyses how two large-scale sports events in Russia shape regional identities and brands, and prompt different social and administrative effects in urban milieus. These two mega-events are the Universiade in Kazan’ in 2013 and the Football World Cup to take place in 11 Russian cities, among which we focus more specifically on Nizhny Novgorod. We argue that the logic of municipal and regional authorities is largely based on post-political thinking, with such main priorities as building consensus, securing public order, stimulating consumption, developing investment opportunities, renovating urban areas, and branding and globally promoting regions’ competitive advantages. This logic, however, is often contested by groups concerned about financial transparency and accountability, managerial efficiency, environmental protection, preservation of historical areas and other public issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to compare the views of the local spectators concerning the effects of the Winter Universiade and the European Youth Olympic Festival, two mega sport events held in Turkey in 2011. The participating group was composed of 878 local spectators who watched the games. The Mega Event Impact Scale, developed by Jie and Yan (2010), was used as the data collection tool. Dimensions forming the scale were compared according to the demographic characteristics of the sample group in order to define the views of the local spectators on the effects of mega events. The results revealed significant differences in the sample group in relation to the demographical characteristics of gender, education, occupation and income status regarding the effects of the Winter Universiade and the European Youth Olympic Festival events. The monthly income of the local spectators who attended the events did not influence the effects perceived. Sample group views on both positive and negative effects of these two events have high averages. In other words, positive and negative effects were detected in both the Winter Universiade held in Erzurum and the European Youth Olympic Festival held in Trabzon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nigde University Journal of Physical Education & Sport Sciences / Nigde Üniversitesi Beden Egitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Journal of Physical Education & Sports Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This text gives an account of racist actions against Roma people carried out by Belgrade authorities in spring and summer 2009 prior to and during the international sports games the 'Belgrade Universiade 2009' and during the Serbian presidency of the international 'Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015'. It examines the coloniality of power within Europe through analyzing the EU's neo-liberal capitalist mechanisms, the historical patterns of racism and their contemporary presence in the EU integration and security policy, bringing them into relation with Yugoslavian wars and war ideology. The actions I will analyze are important, as they make visible the processes of discrimination and segregation in the EU and furthermore, they allow for a different development of the relation between capitalism and antiromaism. By reflecting the relation of capitalism and antiromaism we will see that the concept of 'inclusion' as it is promoted by the 'Roma Decade' is based exactly upon the exclusion of differences. Finally the text exposes the solidarity mode of resistance to the given state of things, looking at protests by Roma and anti-racist actions in arts and culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences is the property of Pamukkale University School of Sport Sciences & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As a 12-year-old living in Moscow in 1973, I watched Canada's Glenda Reiser win the 1,500m at the World University Games, and, as children do, decided that would be me. Raised to believe I could do whatever I set my mind to, off I went. But the journey was to be far more complicated than I could ever have anticipated. Each time I felt I was making progress in my quest for excellence, a barrier would appear. I felt like Sisyphus who was sentenced to roll a rock up a hill. Each time it reached the top, the rock rolled back down again. His crime had been to challenge Zeus. Mine was much less grandiose: I wanted only to reach my maximum potential free of restrictions created by the sport system. Athletes are still rolling their rocks up hills. They shouldn't be. The role of the system should be to flatten the barriers, to ease the way, to widen the path. Unfortunately, much of the time that is not what happens. But it could be, and what follows is the story of an effort to help athletes get to the top of the hill a little more easily, with less interference from the system. My thesis is a simple one: athletes want to perform. Their performance, and the supports needed to create it, should be the focus of the sport system. To ensure that focus, athletes and their coaches must get involved. If, as athletes, we do not shape and support the systems we need, we will roll our rocks for evermore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous researches had showed that the value of the World University Record represents over 90 % from the value of the World Record in seniors' events. Based on that, the aim of this research was to identify the actual stage and the trends that are present all over the world in the university track and field, and to elaborate some objective premises in the selection of the components of the national team in order to participate to the 2009 edition of the Universidad, in order to achieve during the competition some results that will allow the qualification in the finals and getting the medals. Methods: During the research we used a system of documentation, analysis and interpretation of the research results methods: the documentation method from internet sources: I.A.A.F. site, I.F.U.S., W.U.C. Bangkok, W.U.C., Osaka; the statistical and mathematical method; the analogy method. Results: The phenomenon that comes out from the running and jumps events is similar in the throws event too. So, the best position of the medalists in the 24th edition of the W.U.G is the 3rd place, obtained in discuss throw, in women case, and the 4th place in the javelin, in men case. These are the events were the two world university champions improve their performances. Conclusions: The fact that from all the medalists of the last edition of the Summer Universidad, only two concurred medals in the edition from the same year of the seniors W.C., urges to profound discussions concerning the participation of the good athletes to this competition, the value of the student results on the world plan and the trends to the world performances of the of the seniors track and field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 22nd Student World Winter Games took place in January 2005 in Innsbruck and Seefeld, Austria. Exactly 1,500 athletes of 50 nationalities competed in 69 events in ten winter sports. A total number of 750 functionaries, 800 volunteers and 85,000 spectators participated in the second largest winter sports event behind the Olympic winter games. The aim of this study was to evaluate the needed resources to ensure traumatological care for an event of that size. At the medical “call-center” all consultations, as well as patient data, diagnosis, and medical treatment were recorded using a preset protocol. Further, all patients treated in the University Hospital Innsbruck were registered with an emphasis on trauma patients. Forty-eight of 65 patients transported to the hospital as a result of the Universiade were trauma patients, 37 of whom were athletes. The gender distribution was 34:14 (m:f). Ice hockey players had the highest rate of injury (25% of all injured athletes), followed by alpine skiers (20.8% of injured athletes). The highest ISS was nine. Forty-three patients got ambulatory treatment, five were admitted to the hospital and surgical treatment was conducted in three cases. Mean patient number was 4.8 per day. No additional personnel, structural, or technical hospital resources were needed to accommodate a large winter sports event like the Universiad. Thus, a level-B trauma center with an emergency room and independent traumatological department with around the clock surgical capability seems to be sufficient to provide traumatological care for an event of this size if the possibility of patient transport to a larger facility exists in the case of catastrophic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. A lot of attention is given to the personality of sportsmen in sport psychology. This results from the need to create the most precise profile, model or theory, which may be used in training. Scientific support for some regularities may be helpful in selection of sportsmen, their attempts to obtain better results, and - first of all- backing up sportsmen's potential development and self-actualization. The goal of this paper is to analyze personality variables of universiade competitors taking into account their discipline. Material and methods. The paper presents the results of the study, carried out during the summer Universiade in Izmir (Turkey, August 2005). The research covered 91 representatives from Poland - 44 female and 47 male athletes practising various sports; 30 representatives of team games and 61 representatives of individual sports. They were filling in ACL-37 adjective test (prepared by HG Gough and AB Heilbrun) and the questionnaire including questions concerning competitors' career. Results. Comparison of personality profiles of team games and of individual sports representatives showed statistically significant differences. The results indicate that representatives of individual sports are significantly more determined and concentrated on specific activities to satisfy their need of achievements. Team players show significantly higher tendency to avoid confrontation with reality. It is related to disbelief in their own success and a fear for a broadly understood failure. Conclusions. Apart from the study report, the paper contains some suggestions for potential broader use of personality psychology issues and the psychology of inter-individual differences, being a part of sports psychology. The qualitative analysis may be a contribution to the discussion of psychological shaping of training effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the World University games held in Kazan, Russia in July 2013. Kazan promotes itself as the "Sports Capital of Russia" and has built some beautiful new venues for the 2013 games. It cites the collegial approach among the medical staff from the different countries as one of the highlights of the games. It cites New Zealand which sent a team of 38 athletes and 13 support staff competing in 9 various sports with Pete Wardell as the Chef de Mission.