|  | Foreword | No.53 May 2008 |
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Editorial |
Welcome to our spring edition of the Bulletin. First of all I would like to inform you that we have changed the title of the ‘Special Feature’ in this Bulletin into “The Impact of Mega Sport Events in Developing Countries.” The organisers of the recent conference on “The Impact of Mega Sport Events on Developmental Goals” held in South Africa on 6 – 7 March, 2008, have kindly agreed for us to publish some of the best papers presented there. The Editorial Board saw it as a great opportunity to offer more information on this very important and topical issue. The ‘Special Feature’ section of this issue focuses on the pros and cons of having mega sport events in developing countries, with specific reference to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The major objectives of the articles are to highlight socio-economic, health and community development impacts of mega sport events as well as suggestions to maximise the potential benefits and minimise the negative effects. Feature articles include, “A coordinated approach for using sport as a tool for peace building and social transformation in South Africa” by Prof. Marion Keim as well as an article on “Sports and development: An economic perspective on the impact of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa” by Prof. Johan F.M. Swinnen and Prof. Thijs Vandemoortele and also „Sports initiatives for socially deprived youth in Flanders (Belgium): The impact of Euro 2000 on the ‘Neighbourhood Sports Project of Mechelen“ by Prof. Marc Theeboom. Many thanks to Prof. Yves van den Auweelen, Prof. André Travil, Prof. Bart Vanreusel and Bert Meulders who have each played a key role in preparing the recent conference in South Africa and who have now also edited our special feature! In this edition, Bulletin 53, interesting scientific articles from various fields of sports science can be found in the Current Issue section, and useful updates and reports under ICSSPE and Member’s News. I hope that you find the contents both stimulating and informative. The topic for the special feature for this issue of the Bulletin was originally, “Sport Science and International Sport Federations” which will now be included in the September issue. Consequently, the special features of the following Bulletins will be published one edition later. At the ICSSPE Editorial Board meeting in March 2008 in London, the Editorial Board made an important decision regarding the direction of this ICSSPE Publication. All Bulletins except this current edition and the two before it, will be moved into the ‘Free Resources’ section of the website. The latest three editions will always remain in the member’s area, and respectively in the bookshop, and with each new Bulletin one more publication will be moved into the Free Resources section and be available for everybody. We have many publications coming up this year, some of them already in the near future, like the special edition of the Directory of Sport Science for the 50th Anniversary of ICSSPE and Perspectives No 9 on Talent Identification. Please find more information under ICSSPE news where you can also read more about ICSSPE’s activities in Berlin. The ICSSPE team is currently busy preparing its Statutory Meetings and the International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport (ICSEMIS 2008) in Guangzhou, China and we all look forward to seeing many of you there. Please visit our information stand, where you will be able to purchase publications, pass on your ideas or simply have a chat and meet the team members. Until then, enjoy the Bulletin, Katrin Koenen Publications and Scientific Affairs Manager http://www.icsspe.org/portal/index.php?w=1&z=5 Editorial