One of the key topics of the European Association for Sport Management (EASM) conference, which will take place in Budapest between 2 and 5 September, is Sustainability and Sport Management. An interview was made with assistant professor Dr Attila Szathmári, who works at the Institute of Operations and Decision Sciences, Department of Decision Theory at Corvinus University.
– How do you see the most pressing issues and unresolved problems in the field of sustainability and sport management on international level?”
–I consider the most pressing issue to be the need to rethink the role of sport in sustainability. Most measures are still reactive in nature, aiming to answer the question: “What must we do to ensure that sport remains the same despite environmental changes and climate change?” However, I believe that the world of sport should take a proactive approach to these changes and instead ask: “What must we do differently to reduce the impact of sport-related activities on climate change?” In this context, a significant portion of current sustainability measures are merely symbolic. Meanwhile, climate change demands that we engage in increasingly urgent and profound reflection and action.”
– Looking back at the international sports events hosted by Hungary in recent years, how do you assess the extent to which the concept of sustainability has been implemented?
– It is encouraging to see that sustainability has emerged as an important element in the organization, strategy, and communication of recent events. Initiatives such as the “Do More” program introduced during the Handball European Championship—which encourages innovative project proposals and fosters joint reflection on sustainability, while also delivering tangible outcomes—are particularly noteworthy. Similarly, programs that promote the use of public transport or enable the participation of socially disadvantaged groups are all important steps. These examples indicate that we have taken the right path.
– Do you see a risk that sustainability, from the perspective of event organization, could unfavourably influence sport or sports performance?
– I interpret this more as an opportunity rather than a risk. I believe we are on the right track if we understand that natural resources are valuable but also limited. Not everyone can use them at will. If we consider that sport (especially elite sport) is part of the entertainment industry, then it is in the best interest of everyone involved to ensure that sport is organized around socially accepted values, making it attractive and acceptable for the future, especially for a generation that is more attuned to and sensitive about such issues. Can an activity that does not take into account the importance of preserving natural values or fundamental social values be accepted in the long run? Hardly.
– What role do you think various stakeholders in sport (governments, sports organizations, civil society organizations) will play in promoting sustainability in the future?
– Each stakeholder plays a very important role. They are crucial in terms of incentivizing, developing strategies, sharing best practices, encouraging innovative ideas, and creating the right regulations. While we perceive and experience sport through athletes, and through them, as intermediaries, we connect to the values of sustainability that appear in sport, the reality is that athletes are often in a vulnerable position. Their ability to advocate for their interests is limited, which is why it is important for more influential stakeholders to steer the system towards sustainability.
– In which sector is sustainability easier to implement: competitive sport or recreational sport?
– Traditionally, values related to sustainability are more prevalent in recreational sport. For example, the promotion of well-being through physical activity and health preservation is much more evident here, whereas in competitive sport, these aspects are often overshadowed by performance and pressure to achieve results. In fact, there is a widespread perception that elite sport is anything but healthy. Even the competition logic built around winning and losing contradicts the principle of cooperation, which is central to sustainability. From an environmental perspective, however, overconsumption, the constant drive for growth, and the resulting increase in environmental footprint can be observed in both sectors. Just think of the sports apparel industry or the environmental impact of transportation. There is still much to be done in this regard.
