Behind the Cancellation of the 2019 East Asian Youth Games in Taichung: An Analysis using the Multiple Streams Model
Yu-Wen CHEN (a*), Tien-Chin TAN (b), Yi-Hsuan LIN (c)

a) Center for General Education, China Medical University, Taiwan.
b) Graduate Institute of Sport, Leisure and Hospitality management, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan.
c) Doctoral Program for Transnational Sport Management and Innovation, National Taiwan Sport University, Taiwan.

Abstract

The East Asian Youth Games (EAYG), formerly the East Asian Games, were to be held for the first time in Taichung City of Taiwan in 2019 following the host city^s four-year preparation. On July 24, 2018, however, the East Asian Olympic Committees (EAOC) revoked Taichung^s hosting right. What led to the cancellation of the 2019 EAYG - one of the few international sporting events for which Taiwan was the successful bidder? Were the preparations behind schedule? Or were there other factors? This study conducted its analysis of the issue using Kingdon^s Multiple Streams Model (Kingdon, 2003), which depicts the interplay of three streams - problems, policies and politics. Semi-structured interviews were held with senior members of several official, semi-official and non-governmental organizations, including the EAYG bidding team, EAYG Preparation Committee, EAOC, Taichung City Government and the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee. The study finds that the EAOC has been de facto controlled by the Chinese Olympic Committee. China^s mechanism of mutual trust with Taiwan was established on the basis of the so-called Olympic protocol, which had been in effect for 40 years. Taiwan^s internal attempts to break through from the Olympic protocol lowered China^s level of trust for Taiwan as a mega-event host. Conclusion: The problems, policies and politics streams for the Olympic protocol issue converged in 2018, leading to the demise of the 2019 EAYG. This study presents a unique case analysis that may serve as an experience and a historical lesson for other Asian countries seeking to host mega sporting events.

Keywords: Sports policy, Olympic protocol, cross-Strait relations

Topic: Mega sporting-events