Although research on the ค้นหาเกมใหม่ที่ UFANAME economic impacts of hosting major sporting events has been extensive, fewer studies have examined how sport events can facilitate greater unity and peace in post-war and transitional settings characterized by internal social divisions and disharmony across ethnic enclaves. Focusing on a case study in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, this article draws upon a qualitative approach to explore residents’ perceptions of a recurrent Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series event and the wider city of Mostar. Interviewees reported that the event facilitated community development through creating appealing communal spaces for celebrating city pride, fostering a sense of hope, and opening opportunities to reconcile differences in the face of a common challenge.

How Sports Events Enhance City Pride and Community

These positive feelings were augmented by the event’s connection to local attributes such as natural beauty and community traditions. The neutrality of the event organizer was also perceived to play a critical role in disengaging it from hegemonic ideals and patriarchal associations typically associated with traditional sports events. The supplemental ancillary events that accompanied the main event heightened the appeal of the event for locals and opened it to a broader audience of citizens. These findings support the argument that, for communities aiming to overcome divisions and heal wounds, a key strategy is for local authorities to harness the power of sports events to create shared experiences rooted in a common culture and history.

Furthermore, the results highlight that sport events can generate pride and increase psychic income in the same way that they enhance community spirit and boost economic development. However, the study also reveals that the impact of sport events on residents’ subjective well-being depends on how successful their team is at the event (e.g., the stronger the sense of pride and the higher the level of psychic income).