Over a number of decades now, the word legacy has taken centre stage at four-yearly intervals, as each new Olympic nation attempts to capitalize on the social and economic benefits of hosting the games and avoid the possibility of investing millions in buildings and infrastructure which turn out to be white elephants. In such contexts, the word legacy is often used as a noun modifier, so in connection with the 2012 Games there’s talk for instance of legacy solutions/propositions. Olympic legacy is not always material – for instance the logistical success of the 2008 Beijing Olympics appears to have bolstered the Chinese government’s image and boosted domestic support, so could therefore be said to have left a political legacy.

Over a number of decades now, the word legacy has taken centre stage at four-yearly intervals, as each new Olympic nation attempts to capitalize on the social and economic benefits of hosting the games and avoid the possibility of investing millions in buildings and infrastructure which turn out to be white elephants. In such contexts, the word legacy is often used as a noun modifier, so in connection with the 2012 Games there’s talk for instance of legacy solutions/propositions. Olympic legacy is not always material – for instance the logistical success of the 2008 Beijing Olympics appears to have bolstered the Chinese government’s image and boosted domestic support, so could therefore be said to have left a political legacy.