Interesse politico e democratizacao do esporte: discutindo o legado de participacao esportiva dos jogos Olymicos Rio 2016

The Summer Olympic Games is the largest multi-sport event in the world. However, its ongoing gigantism has raised questions as to whether the predicted legacies justify the often hidden and unexpected costs. The main objective of this chapter is to analyse the sport participation legacy of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Studies worldwide suggest that hosting the Olympic Games may not be enough to increase participation in sport and physical activity among the host population. In addition, they suggest that the Olympic Games tend to serve as a stimulus for those who are already involved in sport and indicate that to reach the entire society sport policies and grassroots programs need to be developed and promoted alongside with hosting sport mega-events. In Brazil, the sport participation legacy seems to maintain the pattern of previous games, where elite sport has been at the center of sport legacy. Finally, we conclude that a democratic sport legacy plan should include clear steps for the development of all forms of sport, and not privilege only elite participation.