The Olympics. Is it worth it?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 09:42

We all know that for 17 days every four years the Summer Olympics attract the world’s attention and the host city gets immense media coverage. Yet many argue that the huge cost of hosting the Olympic games means that cities are left with crippling bills and empty arenas once those 17 days are over. Montreal, the host in 1976, is still paying off the cost of staging the games today and the Athens Olympics of 2004 ran billions of euros over the original budget - at state expense.



Is hosting the Olympics really worth it?

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 09:47

Or as my old Uncle Percy used to say "wasta bleedin' money"......

Aslan


Joined: 23/06/2008
Posts: 757

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 09:47

I think the World games and Commonwealth games are enough, the carbon footprint created from building and staging the games in new cities who in most cases are ill equipped to support such events especially the aftermath should be stopped.

billyboy1


Joined: 01/06/2009
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 09:52

Definetely not....



UK cant deal with its probs now, and I for one believe that the 2012 olympics in Uk will have lots of problems...



Transport being one of them.....waste of time and money that Uk aint got.....(so they say)

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 10:26

re msg 1



A bit late to worry about that, now..



We can always use more CGI than the Chinese at the opening ceremony ( the fireworks scenes were doctored)

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 10:32

How do you know they were 'doctored' images?





I know it's too late for us now, but is it all still worth it?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 16:02

Mark. How do you know the images were 'doctored'

ROBnJO


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 1289

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 16:23

Bill

The Stadium fireworks were all genuine, but the Chinese admitted to taking some CGI Aerial shoots of fireworks over the City, in case of poor weather on the night and did run with them, apparently because of poor visibility.

ROBnJO


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 1289

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 16:36

It's the first time I have looked at our Governments 'fully costed' bid for the 2012 Olympics.



It seems jolly good value at £2.4 bn!!









Though I believe costs may have gone up a teeny weeny bit since then!

AlexF065


Joined: 07/09/2009
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 16:54

well if the spiraling costs of the rebuilding of wembley stadium are looked at and the Olympics go the same way our great great grandchildren will still be paying for them rather like the Montreal Olympics



I wonder if the new Olympic stadium can be used for football and if west ham or spuds will be able to afford it? like the city of Manchester stadium that was built for the commonwealth games now rented i believe to Man City



The accommodation blocks i suspect can be used within the social housing sector perhaps?

Not sure apart from cycling what a velodrome can be used for and there is a great deal of building work going on around weymouth for the sailing



just a few thoughts but do agree is it worth it mind you Stratford did need something doing as it was blighted by all the speculation on the fast rail network link to the channel tunnel lots of properties were bought up by compulsory purchase

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 19:43

Hi Bill



just found your request !



at your service:



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26139005/



I didn't read it, though I THINK I saw it on the BEEB.. perhaps 'Click' .. the IT prog..

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 20:17

The games may benefit London (new transport infrastructure, etc) but at the cost of the rest of the UK.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 22:13

) Ask the poor (sic) folk of Dorset who will fund security in Weymouth ( Sailing)

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 22:28

I have to ask, were you one of the people who were cheering everytime a gold, silver or bronze medal was won at the last olympics by a team from GB?



Most of us that were interested realised that many of these medals were won by the cycling team as a result of the velodrome built in manchester for the commonwealth game.



Without these facilities being built we did not stand a chance of competing on the world stage of athletics and this is one area which proved at the last olympics that as a country GB can produce a quality team with the right backing but unfortunately this costs money. Whether it is all worth it, I am not sure, but as a nation we cannot sit back and wonder where our own countries competitors are and why they not doing very well if there is no support or facilities to back them.



However, I do think that these events have lost their way alittle with countries trying to out do each other everytime especially on both the opening and closing events.

AlexF065


Joined: 07/09/2009
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 23:55

I can understand what you are saying about facilities and the fact that most of the so called "ELETE" squad are professional as they are now paid to train

the cyclists are an excellent example of using their funds very wisely and squad members having to attain certain goals to keep their funding. the Athletics section would do well to follow the blue print IMHO

HAPPY FEET


Joined: 18/07/2008
Posts: 416

Message Posted:
16/10/2009 11:11

Cant get to bloody work now in the city let alone with thousands of people making there way to East London for two weeks, I for one will be spending two weeks in Bardados away from it all, complete waste of money.

Stratford will still be a dump even when the games have finished..