Competitiveness Indicators Of Sports Cities In Central-Eastern Europe

Cities faces continuous challenges due to globalization, and the economic competitiveness of cities can no longer be controlled only by the industrial environment, but also by social capital, novelties, and the utilization of local resources. In this competition, using the tool of sport, sport can be a tool for the rehabilitation of the city, an influencing factor of the local’s health behavior, which can be used to increase productivity, as well as a determinant of tourism, the image of the city, local identity, which also increases social and economic capital. The determinants of the sports cities are based on marketing and tourism, in which sports events and their effects appear. The study presents the aspects that appear in the sports strategy of Central and Eastern European cities, as well as the indicators of the ranking of sports cities. The method of the research is statistical, sports strategic analysis examining the cities of 6 countries, in which the main areas of sports development are presented. With regard to the results, the sports development criteria system of the countries and their cities, as well as the ranking of the sports cities and their selection criteria, are presented. Based on the results, sports developments often extend to sports facilities, which are the basis for the effective operation of sports, but they are not enough in themselves. It is also necessary to ensure the appropriate professional background, the human capital that can achieve results in a wide range of sports functions.