Vancouver 2010

[The Bolshevist]

Well, after a heck of a lot of hoopla, Vancouver won the right to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Of course, some people are saying that Pyongchang was robbed, or that Salzburg was sacrificed so the US chances for a 2012 Summer games would be weakened. What do you think? (As a person who lives in Vancouver's suburbs, I get to pay for the games, but I didn't get to take part in the vote whether I wanted them or not. So I am honestly not sure.)

[lafemmefatale]

My bf doesn't want it, but i do...

I was quite surprised with Salzburg got eliminated first round, but good thing it did cuz all it's votes went to Vancouver. Pyonchang was very impressive, however South Korea already cohosted the World Cup with Japan so another international sporting event for them is maybe a lil too much. To be honest I'd like to see and african or south american country take the 2012 Olympics...

I don't mind paying for the olympics since chances are, if we don't get the games the prov. gov'll just waste the money anyway on something else. This is in fact an excellent opportunity for amateur athletes who otherwise don't get much recognition.

Another concern is for the low income ppl who may lose housing, this is a 17 day event so the impact is not that dramatic...even if all the space was rented out...ppl can last for 17 days on hte streets i'd think j/k. There have been guarantees of not kicking ppl out but you know...[this is my only concern w/the games] but in a long term aspect, new buildings will be put up and emptied after the games that will be suitable for lowcost housing...so it actually would help...just after the games though.

As well BC faced the western aliennation from the feds and becuase of this olympics almost half hte cost will be from the feds and probably even after the olympics the fed gov. will be much more willing to dump money into BC instead of keeping it all in Ont. and Qbc. [although they are more populous the distribution is still quite skewed]

Finally, although the games for me isn't and shouldn't be about money but looking at the circumstances this is a good economics opportunity. Currently the fishing industry, forestry industry, and beef [although it's mostly alberta] industry is at the mercy of the USA policies, so whenever they take a dive or suddenly decide to go for domestic products instead BC suffers some. By hosting the olympics, it's the chance to establish international relations so that we're not so dependant on USA economy. Also tourism stands to gain some too which is always great...

That's my 2 cents...

[human]

I'm a White Rockian originally (though out east now), so I didn't get to take the vote either, but I'm all for the games personally. Yes, we're going to pay for it for a lot of years, but on the other hand, I'm one of those who tends to think amateur sports are pretty important. I have many fond memories of watching Canadians win medals. Mark Tewksbury, Alex Baumann, Eddie Podivinsky, Marianne Limpert, Jeremy Wotherspoon (Spellings are probably all wrong) are all names that I heard consistantly growing up, these are people that do what they do not for the million dollar paycheck at the end, but because they want to. And damned if that's not something I'll support.

And I don't think Salzburg was sacrificed to hinder the US, more to help Europe in 2012 (take a look at the cities bidding for that one...). And Salzburg is only something like a 5 hour drive from Albertville (winter 1992). Not to mention that the 2006 games are in Italy. So there was that too. And I don't think Pyongchang was robbed either, the 2008 games are in Beijing and say what you want about the IOC, they do like to spread the games around a bit.

Anyhow, that's my few cents on it.

[waves]

Originally posted by human
I'm a White Rockian originally (though out east now

small world, I'm also from White Rock...

So, even though I remain in the lower mainland, I didn't get to vote either as I'm not part of Vancouver propor. I'm all for the games, but also think the money should be spent on healthcare.

whether or not officials actually would spend it on healtchare is another thing however hehe

[Cubby]

I'm from North Vancouver and I also didn't get a vote even though everyone has to drive through N. Van to get to Whistler and we will have a few of the games in N.Van. (no I'm not bitter that I didn't get a vote )

Regardless, what most people seem to think when it comes to the games and whether the money should be put elsewhere is that we would not be getting any of this money from the Federal government if we were not getting the games. So it isn't like we are just spending hundreds of millions of dollars that could go to feeding the needy. Without the olympics we wouldn't get the money to improve anything. At least with the olympics we will get new recreational facilities, road improvements all over the lower mainland as well the sea-to-sky, and money will come in.

If we lose money on the olympics it doesn't really matter. Think about it. Let's say we spend 3 billion on building up the infrastructure to support the olympics and only get back 2.5 billion. That still means we have built 3 billion dollars worth of infrastructure improvements for a bargain $500,000.

Me, I can't wait. And just so you know you likely can't book hotel rooms for 2010 yet. My boss tried already and the Fairmont at least isn't accepting room requests for 2010 until 2006 or 7.

[The Bolshevist]

Interesting posts, everyone!

[splck]

I'm glad the games are coming this way in 2010. I don't understand the people that say they don't want the games because of healthcare and education. WTF? Do you really think that if we didn't have the games the feds would put the cash into those programs? We spend over 10 billion dollars a year in BC for healthcare, so it will be over 70 billion by time 2010 comes around...the Olympics are a drop in the bucket that will be worth every penny.
If the feds turfed the gun-registry and quite spending like drunken sailors, we would have enough to pay for the games many times over.

[imp]

I'm gonna volunteer and get into the events for free! and and and.. sell LUCKY loonies for 5 bucks each!! I'll make millions!!! Then I'll do a little dance! Anyone think New York has a chance to get the games? personally.. I think they don't have a chance at all

[sabre1044]

If Vancouver gets the Olympic Bid, which i hope they will. Calgery did not create much attention, but Vancouver will!

[Arrow]

Originally posted by sabre1044
If Vancouver gets the Olympic Bid, which i hope they will. Calgery did not create much attention, but Vancouver will!

they already got it

[Brian Fellows]

It probably will go off better that the Olympics that are gonna in Athens next summer.

[Jebus99]

speaking as a calgarian who was a bit too young to enjoy the games fully in '88, I am definitely looking forward to these 2010 games in Vancouver, I am going to make the trek out there and spend the $ so that I can watch as much Canada and Sweden hockey as possible!