The cheering crowds of the Athens Olympics are but a fading memory. However, what is most certainly not to be forgotten is the $12BN spent on the construction of the various venues that housed the Olympics.
The only trouble is, the Greek government has not a clue as to what to do with them.
In the rush to build the most expensive and "stunning" venues ever, for the 2004 Olympics, the planners and government of the day forgot to ask themselves the following blindingly obvious question:
"When the party is over, what do we do with these buildings?".
In addition to trying to recoup the cost of the buildings themselves, something that the Greek taxpayer will spend over 10 years paying for, there are the annual maintenance costs of over $100M.
The financial failure of the Greek Olympics should be a lesson to any city, idiotic enough, to want to host these games; namely:
-Don't overspend
-Build something that can be used after the Games
-Don't allow politicians to become involved
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Friday, February 04, 2005
Luge Cancelled
Luge test events on the track for the 2006 Turin Olympics have been called off this weekend, as a result of a number of accidents.
The International Luge Federation has asked for the track to be simplified.
The accidents included:
The International Luge Federation has asked for the track to be simplified.
The accidents included:
- Brazil's Renato Mizoguchi injuring his head during a crash
- Lugers from Latvia, Virgin Islands and Romania crashing at the same corner in the last few days
- Raluca Stramaturaru, of Romania, breaking an arm Wednesday
Gaetano Coppi, president of the Italian winter sports federation, does not think that it is the track to blame; quote:
"It's not the track which must be modified ... but the criteria of the (federation) about the technical level of athletes allowed to compete..".
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Paris in The Lead
Paris is currently in the lead, to win the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
Today, the International Olympic Committee's evaluation commission arrives in Madrid; to conduct its first review of the plans submitted by the five cities, who hope to host the games.
The review process is expect to be completed by March, the final decision will be announced in July of this year in Singapore.
Paris's bid was helped by the fact that the Queen told a visitor to a Buckingham Palace reception, that she expected Paris to win. Then, compounding London's embarrassment, a newspaper claimed that London had "in effect abandoned hope of winning".
Today, the International Olympic Committee's evaluation commission arrives in Madrid; to conduct its first review of the plans submitted by the five cities, who hope to host the games.
The review process is expect to be completed by March, the final decision will be announced in July of this year in Singapore.
Paris's bid was helped by the fact that the Queen told a visitor to a Buckingham Palace reception, that she expected Paris to win. Then, compounding London's embarrassment, a newspaper claimed that London had "in effect abandoned hope of winning".
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Showtime
The IOC's evaluation commission will begin visiting the 5 cities hoping to host the 2012 Olympics, over the next 7 weeks.
The cities on their visiting list are; Madrid, Paris, London, Moscow and New York.
Their findings will be published in May. A poor report will scupper a city's chances.
The cities on their visiting list are; Madrid, Paris, London, Moscow and New York.
Their findings will be published in May. A poor report will scupper a city's chances.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Canada Owns The 2010 Olympics
The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, has called on all Canadians to put their full weight behind the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Speaking in Montreal, Rogge said:
"We believe the Games must be Canadian Games...There must be a sense of ownership in all of Canada, in all the provinces, for these Games...I know our friends in Vancouver want that, too..." .
Rogge is spending 3 days in Canada, meeting with political and business leaders to build support for the 2010 Games.
The federal government has been asked to put up half the money for the Games, the rest will be tapped from private sources.
Rogge expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the 2010 Olympics. However, he warned that the Games were still only in their "honeymoon phase".
The next stage will be more difficult; when roads are blocked, and holes dug, during the construction of the venues.
Speaking in Montreal, Rogge said:
"We believe the Games must be Canadian Games...There must be a sense of ownership in all of Canada, in all the provinces, for these Games...I know our friends in Vancouver want that, too..." .
Rogge is spending 3 days in Canada, meeting with political and business leaders to build support for the 2010 Games.
The federal government has been asked to put up half the money for the Games, the rest will be tapped from private sources.
Rogge expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the 2010 Olympics. However, he warned that the Games were still only in their "honeymoon phase".
The next stage will be more difficult; when roads are blocked, and holes dug, during the construction of the venues.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Coe Laughs Off Depression
Lord Coe has laughed off reports that the London Olympic bid team are "in depression"; it is reported that they believe that Paris will win the right to host the Olympics in 2012.
It is reported that a London 2012 board member said:
"Paris is ahead. We expect them to win."
Lord Coe said, in response to this story:
"Paris is clearly a strong contender, but London's in a very strong position...We have six months to go and it's full steam ahead with a very motivated team. We're moving in the right direction."
It is reported that a London 2012 board member said:
"Paris is ahead. We expect them to win."
Lord Coe said, in response to this story:
"Paris is clearly a strong contender, but London's in a very strong position...We have six months to go and it's full steam ahead with a very motivated team. We're moving in the right direction."
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