Once they reach local communities, sporting events are about much more than
merely boosting tourism, local investment and employment, however. They can
provide opportunities to challenge dominant social structures. For example, from
the moment the Games were awarded to Sydney, local resident groups and
indigenous people more broadly responded.19 Protests and meetings took place
in the lead-up to the Games; yet these voices were quickly silenced within
Australian public debate. Indeed, many academics and universities decided to
pursue a largely uncritical stance, choosing rather to exploit the presence of the
Games as an opportunity for developing event management skills and to promote
the Games and Australia. The University of New South Wales, for example,
purchased a corporate box at Stadium Australia, the main Olympic venue, in
order to entertain officials from leading international universities