Abstract
Today, all sport events are organized with massive budgets. Undoubtedly, the most prestigious, most significant and most expensive of all sport organizations is the Olympic Games. In this theoretical study, the short, medium- and long-term effects of the Olympic Games on the economies of countries were compared. To accomplish this, the descriptive survey model was used. It is possible that the economic and social development indices and the economy of the Olympics can create a related and direct output. The high costs incurred in countries that have transformed and developed their economies into neoliberal economies in line with the globalization model of the era, require very serious expenses for these investments. However, costs remain relatively low in countries that have not transformed and developed their economies. On the other hand, the economic returns of the Olympic Games are directly proportional to the economic and social development indices in line with the costs. While economies that have completed their economic transformation, social and political processes can create a serious economic return, economies that have not completed their economic transformation and social and political development have difficulty in creating an economic return. The investments and expenditures can result in short term economic contraction and regression, but can provide a positive medium and long term return.