主办单位:成都体育学院
ISSN 1001-9154 CN 51-1097/G8

Journal of Chengdu Sport University ›› 2022, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (1): 85-91.doi: 10.15942/j.jcsu.2022.01.014

• RESEARCH ON SPORTS EVENTS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Home Advantage in the Winter Olympic Events and Its Implications for China's Preparation towards 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games

HE Yiman1, OU Xinrong1, HU Xu1, LIN Meng2, LI Juan1, TIAN Hui1   

  1. 1. School of International Sport Organizations, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084;
    2. China Ice Sports College, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084
  • Received:2021-07-27 Revised:2021-09-24 Online:2022-01-15 Published:2022-01-30

Abstract: Objective: This study aims to explore the features of home advantage in Winter Olympic events, and put forward China's preparation strategies towards the Beijing 2022 Winter Games. Methods: All events in the last 10 Winter Olympics were included and grouped into (1) events at variable venues, with subjective judgement and other events; (2) events on ice and on snow; (3) men's, women's and mixed events. The effects of home advantage in all events were statistically analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Significant home advantage is found in: (1) events at variable venues and with subjective judgement (0.05<P<0.1; P<0.05); (2) ice events on the whole (P<0.01) and ice events at variable venues (P<0.05); (3) snow events with subjective judgement (P<0.05); and (4) men's events (P<0.01), which showed home advantage regardless of differences in familiarity with venues and subjective judgement. Conclusion: Home advantage varies for different types of Winter Olympic events. Familiarity with the venues, subjective judgement and gender are possible correlates of home advantage. Implications: When preparing for the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, China should (1) adopt COVID-specific preparation strategies to strengthen its home advantage; (2) adopt different development strategies for ice and snow events; (3) address the differences in psychology and performance between male and female athletes to bring out the best possible performances.

Key words: Winter Olympic Games, home advantage, events, preparation strategy, Olympic Games, home-field effect

CLC Number: