Olympics

2010 has been the subject of a lot of talk around these parts, especially in the last little while. Costs are ballooning and the fact this money could be used elsewhere is not sitting well with many people. Now while I agree with the fact the amount of money being spent is getting to be a little bit too excessive, there are a few things that people say that I take issue with.


Any variation on“we don’t want the Olympics lets not have them”

I wont waste time on this because its just stupid to even think its an option. The Olympics are coming, its not going to change now.

“Im just going to leave during the Olympics”
This isn’t so much something to debate as it is a question of why you would do this. Yes things will be busy, ya you might not have tickets, but with all the people coming here from all around the world, there will be such a great atmosphere around the city and I feel it would be a shame to miss out on that.

“we are going to protest/ cause disturbances during the protest”
Most of this centres around the amount of money not being spent on other things. While I’m one for standing up for things if you believe in them, it is a bad idea to be putting Vancouver in a poor light while the world is looking at us. Being a business student my view on this all comes down to one thingROIReturn On Investment. We’ve spent the money and are spending this money in an attempt to show our city off to the world and make people want to come here. If during the Olympics all people see is a city of people who are angry and try to bring attention to the bad parts of our city and not the good, people wont be enticed to come. So not only will we have a big bill for the Olympics, we will also not reap the full benefits of a 17 day infomercial on why people should come and spend money in our city.

So if you need to make your voice heard, do it before and after the game, but if you can put on a smile next February it will be good for all of us in the long run. Because the Olympics are coming like it or not, and even if you feel the Olympics is a giant lemon, at least try to make some lemonade.