Canada spends billions on the Olympics -- is it worth it?ý

Hell, yes, it's worth it.

Like I said before, compare two similar cities in Alberta (Edmonton and Calgary). One got the Olympics and is somewhat known outside of North America, while Edmonton (if it's known at all) is only because of a big shopping mall.

That alone is worth a small fortune in tourist dollars, nevermind all the infrastructure that Olympic cities get because of the Games. Those 14 golds likely wouldn't have come if our athletes didn't have top notch facilities to train in (again courtesy of the Calgary Olympics).

And you can't buy pride that an Olympic hockey gold brings. That alone is worth billions in better productivity, better health and just a better mood amongst Canadians.

If the games would have sucked and we didn't win more than a handful of metals than maybe not...but I think it was a great performance. Despite the shitty commercials and the crappy coverage (extended patriotic bs show openings done in shitty computer imaging, over bearingly long interviews and flashbacks to bs people who generally no one cares about etc...).

Much better value than the billions spent on bilingualism.

The article was rather poor. Yes, they are worth it. Many reasons made them worth it from Infrastructure improvements, to Global Exposure, to an Economic Boost in one of the worst Global Economic climates in a few generations, to a gigantic Party where Canadians could unwind for awhile.

I must admit I was a little pessimistic about the whole thing beforehand but after being here through it I feel it was totally worth it. It was a fantastic time and I'm so glad I got to see it happen. Long overdue improvements finally got done and the pride and unity that it brought to our country can't be measured in dollars. I work in the restaurant/hospitality industry and saw the economic benefit firsthand as employees were able to make more money, to thus have more to go spend.

I also personally spoke to many visitors (Canadians and Europeans) who were having a great time seeing what Vancouver and the area have to offer (outside of Olympic events) and were already planning to return to the area in the near future to see more. I was certainly encouraging that!

It's a hell of a lot better use of government money than bailing out bankers and automakers.

We will see if it was worth it. Too early to say.

I think it was worth it in the long run. We'll see how the profit and loss directly from the games works out, but purely from a standpoint of national pride, well worth it.

I heard today that it brought in over $400 million to Vancouver.......so I'd say yes.
Not to mention the national pride.

But what did it cost BC taxpayers? Not just Vancouverites. BC. And what will THEY gain?

I talked was guys who were there and were with the men's hockey team and they were told all the athlete's housing was to be converted to affordable housing. Think they said the oval track will be converted to a market and UBC gets a new rink which they needed. One of the biggest factors is where the $400 million revenue comes from. It's not all money that is shuffled around the country but is new money brought from around the world and spent which has a greater impact.

Oh, I am sure that it was good for Vancouver, short term. Now doubt. But BC is bigger than the Greater Vancouver Area. There are more area's that need attention than just that one... Jus' sayin'...