2016 Olympics

[HarryT]

I was delighted to see that Rio won the bid for the 2016 Olympic games. They have never been held in South America, and I think that Rio will put on a spectacular show!

[Superlucky]

I know I'm supposed to care about this, especially since Chicago was in the running, but I just don't. Other than Munich, has any city disappointed?

[vivaldirules]

I think it's terrific. Well, except that I always wonder if it isn't a bit of a curse for the people who have to endure the construction, development, taxation, and chaos. But it should be fun.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

I think it's terrific. Well, except that I always wonder if it isn't a bit of a curse for the people who have to endure the construction, development, taxation, and chaos. But it should be fun.

i was really relieved that paris didn't get the olympics when we were a candidate. it would have been utter chaos here with all the tourists (not even taking into account the construction, etc.). but that's a purely personal reaction since i already get annoyed by crowds of tourists. i think it can also be great for the city hosting because of the influx of cash from tourists etc. and rio certainly does know how to throw a party so i'm sure they'll do a great job.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

i was really relieved that paris didn't get the olympics when we were a candidate. it would have been utter chaos here with all the tourists (not even taking into account the construction, etc.). but that's a purely personal reaction since i already get annoyed by crowds of tourists. i think it can also be great for the city hosting because of the influx of cash from tourists etc. and rio certainly does know how to throw a party so i'm sure they'll do a great job.

A great opportunity missed imho.
You might have been commissioned to design the Paris Olympic web site logo - 5 interlocked doughnuts!!

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

A great opportunity missed imho.
You might have been commissioned to design the Paris Olympic web site - 5 interlocked doughnuts!!

you know, when i see some of the logos that "designers" have been paid more money than i can even imagine to "design" (and i use the word loosely... ), i think i definitely need to get in on that racket ! i remember the hullaballoo over one of the recent olympic logos (i think it was the london proposition), the entire design world (blogosphere) was revolted ! doughnuts seem like a viable proposition in that light !

[HarryT]

Manchester (close to where I live) hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002 (after losing the bid for the 2000 Olympics to Sydney) and being a "part" of the whole thing was just a wonderful experience. The entire city just felt like a "party" for two weeks; the streets were full of people from all over the world; the atmosphere was just fabulous. Not to mention that it left the city with a great infrastructure for sporting events - a nice new stadius, a swimming centre, a cycling velodrome, and lots more. I don't think anyone regrets hosting the games.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

i was really relieved that paris didn't get the olympics when we were a candidate. it would have been utter chaos here with all the tourists (not even taking into account the construction, etc.). but that's a purely personal reaction since i already get annoyed by crowds of tourists. i think it can also be great for the city hosting because of the influx of cash from tourists etc. and rio certainly does know how to throw a party so i'm sure they'll do a great job.

If I lived near a city that was going to host the Olympics, I would move.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Manchester (close to where I live) hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002 (after losing the bid for the 2000 Olympics to Sydney) and being a "part" of the whole thing was just a wonderful experience. The entire city just felt like a "party" for two weeks; the streets were full of people from all over the world; the atmosphere was just fabulous. Not to mention that it left the city with a great infrastructure for sporting events - a nice new stadius, a swimming centre, a cycling velodrome, and lots more. I don't think anyone regrets hosting the games.

meh. we get that every summer already. and i remember when we had the world cup for football here about 10 (?) years ago, it was madness. of course, since we won, it was also really impressive to see the generalised euphoria and elation that took over apparently the entire population ; i don't care about football but it gave me some idea of what it must have been like at the liberation of the city at the end of the war (i mean that completely seriously).

Originally Posted by Nate the great

If I lived near a city that was going to host the Olympics, I would move.

i'm with you. actually if we had gotten them, i was tempted to rent out my flat to tourists for a small fortune and use the money to go somewhere else for the duration. but i'm glad i didn't have to, because you never know what they would do to the place in your absence, and i'm not sure i'd trust strangers with my (few but important) valuables (i mean like my pc).

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

If I lived near a city that was going to host the Olympics, I would move.

... and rent out your house for a vast sum for the fortnight of the games? Excellent idea .

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I don't think anyone regrets hosting the games.

From what I've heard a lot of venues become derelict after the games (Sydney, Greece), and the locals can be left paying the bill for decades (Montreal).

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by HarryT

... and rent out your house for a vast sum for the fortnight of the games? Excellent idea .

I was just thinking of a permanent move, but this is better.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

From what I've heard a lot of venues become derelict after the games (Sydney, Greece), and the locals can be left paying the bill for decades (Montreal).

yeah, it seems to me not many cities really have need for such extensive sports venues on a regular basis, so it's not necessarily useful. and they do cost a terrifying amount to build, and you know that money comes out of the pockets of the people living there, whether they want it or not.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

From what I've heard a lot of venues become derelict after the games (Sydney, Greece), and the locals can be left paying the bill for decades (Montreal).

I guess that some games are better financially planned than others.

Manchester put a massive amount of effort into its 2000 Olympic bid, and used all that expertise for its subsequent Commonwealth Games bid. It all seemed to work extremely well. The city massively profitted from it, I believe. After the games were over, Manchester City football club took over the stadium as their new "home".

[Superlucky]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I don't think anyone regrets hosting the games.

I think the folks in Beijing who had their homes demolished without compensation and were then arrested for protesting that fact regret hosting the games.