‘What works’ in leveraging major sport events: insights from parasport

Research question This paper examines the factors that enable sport-event leveraging initiatives to be sustained over time and continue generating public value. Drawing on event leveraging, public value theory, and Frederickson’s theory of the public, we analyse two parasport-related cases: the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the 2015 Toronto Pan/Parapan American Games.Research methods The cases draw on interviews, document analysis, observations, and follow-up engagement conducted across the years following each Games. This longitudinal design allows us to trace how initiatives moved from event-time ambitions to post-event delivery and adaptation. The Scottish case examines Scottish Disability Sport’s Activity Inclusion Model and teacher training programme, while the Canadian case focuses on the Ontario Parasport Collective’s educational outreach and inclusive physical literacy resources.Findings Across both cases, leveraging initiatives were sustained when they were embedded in policy frameworks, supported by cross-sector partnerships, resourced through institutional arrangements, and adapted as educational needs and delivery contexts changed. These conditions helped move initiatives beyond symbolic event legacy claims toward practical educational change. The findings show how pluralist forms of stakeholder consensus and legislative or policy mandates worked together to support long-term programme continuation.Implications The paper contributes to sport event leveraging scholarship by identifying “what works” in sustaining parasport event initiatives beyond the event period. It highlights the importance of integrated policy approaches, durable partnerships, and programme adaptation in ensuring that major sport events can support inclusive educational practices and continue generating public value over time.