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I remember the Atlanta games very well. I don't consider it a "failure", but the bombing definitely didn't give it a good reputation.
As far as Charlotte hosting the Olympics goes, I think it would be good for the city. I do think if the right actions were taken and planning begins soon, it would be successful. 11 years is quite a while for a city of Charlotte's size to prepare for such a large event. I've heard the Charlotte hosting the Olympics talk for a couple of years here in Atlanta. Of course everyone doubts the city, but I, for one do think it's a good idea.
The idea is so far past ridiculous it makes my head spin.
But I am sure Foxx and his buds are walking around w/ stars in their eyes and all sorts of ego-driven schemes in their heads about how they can convince taxpayers to ante up for the Olympics, lololol.
Here's a little follow up on what happens once the Olympics are over and folks have left town . . .
I have read other articles about the BILLIONS of dollars debt that Greece ended up with . . .and then there are the well documented stories about Canada's empty "village" . . .
The idea is so far past ridiculous it makes my head spin.
But I am sure Foxx and his buds are walking around w/ stars in their eyes and all sorts of ego-driven schemes in their heads about how they can convince taxpayers to ante up for the Olympics, lololol.
Here's a little follow up on what happens once the Olympics are over and folks have left town . . .
I have read other articles about the BILLIONS of dollars debt that Greece ended up with . . .and then there are the well documented stories about Canada's empty "village" . . .
The idea is so far past ridiculous it makes my head spin.
But I am sure Foxx and his buds are walking around w/ stars in their eyes and all sorts of ego-driven schemes in their heads about how they can convince taxpayers to ante up for the Olympics, lololol.
Here's a little follow up on what happens once the Olympics are over and folks have left town . . .
I have read other articles about the BILLIONS of dollars debt that Greece ended up with . . .and then there are the well documented stories about Canada's empty "village" . . .
Unfortunately, that's partially a result of the IOC wanting the host nations to pony up so much with regard to venues, infrastructure, etc. As one of the articles I cited stated, Atlanta might have been criticized for being "overly commercial," but it resulted in no debt for the US/Georgia and the venues and infrastructure improvements were put to great use by the city in the aftermath. I think it probably benefited from the Games the most compared to most other recent host cities.
Unfortunately, that's partially a result of the IOC wanting the host nations to pony up so much with regard to venues, infrastructure, etc. As one of the articles I cited stated, Atlanta might have been criticized for being "overly commercial," but it resulted in no debt for the US/Georgia and the venues and infrastructure improvements were put to great use by the city in the aftermath. I think it probably benefited from the Games the most compared to most other recent host cities.
I will have to read the articles you posted and check out some others, as well.
I guess I was prime Olympic watching age as a kid in 1996, but I never thought the Olympics themselves were considered a failure (of course the bombing was bad). I was a wrestler and the US won three golds in wrestling, including current professional wrestler Kurt Angle. Plus my sister was a gymnast so the gymnastics team winning their first ever team gold was a big deal for her, but I thought the Kerri Strug thing was a pretty big story anyway:
I had to go to wikipedia to make sure I was thinking of the right year, but in track you had Michael Johnson winning both the 200 and 400, and the world record being broken in the 100, and Carl Lewis winning a gold medal at age 35. The US also dominated the medal count overall.
As far as what was left afterwards, as someone else mentioned the Olympic Village seems to have been put to good use, and Centennial Park is a pretty popular tourist spot. I don't think they have anything like what happened in Beijing.
As for Charlotte, I'm not going to be upset if they don't go for it, but I wouldn't be upset if they do either. I will be very upset if Charlotte gets it and wrestling isn't reinstated though. But hopefully they would only have to build few if any new arenas so they don't end up like Beijing either. I'm not sure what's all at the Whitewater Center, but hopefully they could do a bunch of the events there.
The idea is so far past ridiculous it makes my head spin.
I agree 1000%, and that should be enough said.... but just in case, I know how we can pay for the Olympics!!!!! It's easy!!!! Just install toll booths on I77, I85, and I485, increase the prepared food tax to 4%, increase the hotel tax by 5%, increase property taxes 4%, increase the sales tax to 12%, add a millionaire surcharge income tax of 5% to incomes over $250,000 and a 10% tax on passive income over $400,000, impose a motor vehicle fee of $50 per vehicle, add a boat fee of $500 per boat shorter than 24 ft, and $1000 for boats longer than 24 ft, double the cost of fishing and hunting licenses, eliminate the tax break on antique vehicles, add a luxury tax on non essential food items, increase the gas tax by 75 cents per gallon, and impose a sin tax of $2/pack on cigs, $1 per six pack on beer and $5/ liter on spirits. That should just about cover the annual debt service on the 30 year bonds..... if there is anybody left to pay these taxes.
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