Destitute spots hosting high-profile sporting events can at least burnish their international reputations even if they are hemorrhaging money, right? Well, probably not.
Athletes have long known that the ticket to getting into stadiums is practice. Thanks to a computer simulation and 70,000 avatars, that's also the key to getting out of stadiums.
Researchers find a spike in heart problems among European soccer fans during World Cup matches, while other studies show the players on the pitch are suffering fewer injuries.
That high-priced new star might fill seats, but a study of professional soccer teams reveals that low player turnover is the best predictor of success.