TALKS ABOUT THE OLYMPICS IN JAPAN
Telling the Olympic Legacy Story – an ethnographic approach Phil Cohen
For seven years prior to the London 2012 Games I carried out ethnographic research with local communities most directly affected by the creation of a new Olympic Park In East London. Subsequently I carried out a further round of research into the local impact of the 2012 Legac
y.n my presentation I will identify some of the key issues of social theory, research methodology , and public policy that emerged from this research and draw out its implications for researchers who are currently engaging with Tokyo 2020. I will also draw on this longitudinal study to consider the role which ethnographic methods can play in creating and sustaining a platform of public participation and dialogue around the Olympics and their community impact, especially in relation to processes of gentrification . This will focus on work recently carried out with residents moving in the ex-Olympic Village in East London and an on- going project to build a heritage trail in Queen Elisabeth OIympic Park. I will conclude by looking critically the official Olympic audit strategy and argue that an ethnographically grounded approach to the evaluation of mega events is much appropriate.
Tokyo Olympics Conference Further information from Professor Yoshihiko Onuma Japan Women’s University : email oonumay@fc.jwu.ac.jp