# I pit the Olympics. This is the final straw. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 19, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440 "2012-05-19T16:56:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/61 "2012-05-20T21:22:38Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > I think most of your rant is valid. But, why shouldn’t the tickets be expensive? Most of the world will watch it on TV for free, they have to recoup costs somehow. $474 for a ticket doesn’t seem that bad, given how much they cost to put on. I’m just happy they haven’t gone to pay-per-view! $474 came from..? If you actually read what I wrote, the problem with the ticket prices was not the original face price- the lower price tickets were actually quite reasonably priced, as face value- it’s the fact that you can’t actually _get_ said tickets, as they sold large quantities of them to travel agencies, rather than actually making them available to the public. Said agencies are unsurprisingly reselling at stupidly higher prices, albiet with a laughably overpriced room included in the rate. A rate that’s substantially more than $474. More along the $1500- $2000 mark for most of the finals, though that does include a room that would normally be $200, and a $15 travelcard, so there is that. I also happen think the projected £11 billion cost to the UK taxpayers is sufficiently high that I don’t really feel like worrying how they’re going to recoup the rest of their costs. There’s a reason it’s not in the same place every time- no country is quite that rich or insane. Oh, and I don’t know why everyone’s assuming I live in London. I don’t; the burning stick parade is, however, passing through the city where I do live in the next week, at rush hour, on a route that could have been designed to cause maximum traffic fuck-up with minimum interest. ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/62 "2012-05-20T21:27:03Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > Oh, and I don’t know why everyone’s assuming I live in London. I don’t; the burning stick parade is, however, passing through the city where I do live in the next week, at rush hour, on a route that could have been designed to cause maximum traffic fuck-up with minimum interest. Ditto - though I’m not sure when my part of Britain is getting the burning stick. My disinterest is massive and I am retired, so I can stay indoors while the rest of the local yokels are gawping. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/63 "2012-05-20T21:34:02Z")
Just do what everyone else does and put your apartment on airbnb and use the extra funds to take a vacation somewhere. Everyone wins. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/64 "2012-05-20T21:35:15Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > By _whom_, you **Philistine**. :mad: (Bolding mine) Hey, I _resemble_ that description!!! 😃 Q ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/65 "2012-05-20T21:38:23Z")
Also, why the hell can’t the Olympics be held in the country where they originated? If anyone could use the revenue, Greece could. What would it take? Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/66 "2012-05-20T21:39:38Z")
Greece had the Games two Olympics ago, in 2004. It’s also worth noting that not all cities derive a great amount of economic benefit from the Olympics. The analysis, by a group of different authors, on [this page](http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/do-olympic-host-cities-ever-win/) presents a rather uneven picture. Some quotes: > [@](#): > > With few exceptions, unless Olympic sports facilities have great post-Games mass appeal for public use (or are dismantled and materials recycled as was Chicago’s plan), they are a losing proposition to a city; they become “white elephants.” Where does one look to find exceptions — Montreal, Seoul, Barcelona, Sydney, Athens? I think not! > [@](#): > > The Sydney Organizing Committee in 2000 also reports breaking even, but the Australian state auditor estimated that the games true long-term cost was $2.2 billion. In part, this was because it is costing $30 million a year to operate the 90,000-seat Olympic Stadium. > > When Athens won the right to host the 2004 games in 1997, its budget was $1.6 billion. The final public cost is estimated to be around $16 billion — 10 times the original budget! Meanwhile, most of the Athens’ Olympics facilities are reportedly underutilized. > [@](#): > > If a city is using an expectation of a financial windfall as justification for hosting the Olympics, past experience suggests that the host will be in for a rude awakening. On the other hand, the Olympics are a fun and exciting event for a city to be a part of. Of course, the residents of Rio don’t really need an excuse to throw a great party. > [@](#): > > Did Beijing and Beijingers benefit from all this? Yes, at least in comparison to their difficulties in much of the previous 60 years. When the Communists made Beijing their capital, they destroyed its famous walls, brought to it class revolution and economic destitution, and no sense at all of urban planning. The municipal government was both corrupt and tasteless. The investment in the city for the Olympics was a form of historical payback — and worth it, because the country, not the city, picked up the tab. > [@](#): > > All in all, the infrastructure and redevelopment improvements that were completed in anticipation of the Games served as the catalyst for Atlanta’s urban renaissance that is still going on today. In fact, the city proper has added more than 100,000 new residents — a growth rate of 25 percent — since 2000; a vast improvement from the period between 1970 and 1990 when Atlanta lost 100,000 residents to the suburbs. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/67 "2012-05-20T21:40:37Z")
> [@spotthegerbil](#): > > Sod the Olympics. > > They tried to [drape Edinburgh Castle with their logo](http://http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-15757202). We [sent them homewards to think again](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-15859236). It’s bad enough that we’ve got two days of road closures while they lug round a sparkly cheesegrater. After you coated them in the flour of Scotland, no doubt! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bilbo1967](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@Bilbo1967](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bilbo1967)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/68 "2012-05-20T21:41:05Z")
> [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](#): > > Ditto - though I’m not sure when my part of Britain is getting the burning stick. My disinterest is massive and I am retired, so I can stay indoors while the rest of the local yokels are gawping. So, you have no idea when the Olympic torch is near you, and yet you are still outraged at the disruption it will (may?) cause? In fact, as you are retired, exactly what inconvenience will you be put through? ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/69 "2012-05-20T21:54:13Z")
Thanks for all the cites, **mhendo**! Okay, one more comment and I’ll leave it y’all’s capable hands. Maybe it’s time to “re-invent” the Olympics? Subsidize Greece with some funds, let them put people to work improving what they have and mount a massive ad campaign along the lines of “Greece! now the permanent home of the Olympics!”, or some such drivel. Solving 2 problems at the same time? Their sucky economy and relieving other countries from the burden and cost of hosting them? As you can tell, I’m not really good at logistics. That’s why I’m friends with YOU guys!😃 Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/70 "2012-05-20T21:55:13Z")
> [@Bilbo1967](#): > > Just for the record, I took it as a light-hearted comment on my user name too and certainly didn’t take any offence. I assume no malice was intended. Yes, that’s how it was meant, I making was a Bilbo reference. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/71 "2012-05-20T22:05:10Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Maybe it’s time to “re-invent” the Olympics? Subsidize Greece with some funds, let them put people to work improving what they have and mount a massive ad campaign along the lines of “Greece! now the permanent home of the Olympics!”, or some such drivel. Personally, i’d be quite happy to have Greece as the permanent home of the (Summer) Olympics. From an economic point of view, it would alleviate the concerns that attend many Olympics, where a whole bunch of money is spent to build stuff that barely gets used once the Games are over. I don’t know enough, though, to reach a conclusion about whether a permanent host would, in fact, see a significant long-term economic benefit. But you’re going to run into problems that relate to your second point: > [@Quasimodem](#): > > Solving 2 problems at the same time? Their sucky economy and relieving other countries from the burden and cost of hosting them? Thing is, while the governments of the host cities and countries might often lose money on the Olympics, plenty of people, and especially corporations, within those countries can make a killing. Construction firms and other contractors who work on Olympics-related stuff can do very well. Same with media companies and others associated with the logistics and the broadcasting. Actually, the Olympics is one of those events beloved by good corporate capitalists: a huge spectacle that often funnels public money into private coffers. Also, even leaving aside the economic issue, there’s the fun and prestige factor of hosting an Olympic Games, and plenty of cities want to be in on that. As i said, i’d be quite happy for Athens to have it every four years, but most people probably wouldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![spotthegerbil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@spotthegerbil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spotthegerbil)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/72 "2012-05-20T22:06:17Z")
> [@hermette](#): > > I thought we were getting stuck with some of the [football](http://www.hampdenpark.co.uk/events/hampden/london-2012-olympic-games-football-at-hampden-park.html)up here? [Recent reports](http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/318746) suggest that it’s not going to be too crowded at Hampden. Assuming 90% remains unsold, you could move the fitba to Starks Park and still have breathing space. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/73 "2012-05-20T22:13:17Z")
I’m not looking forward to the games-the US TV coverage is really crappy (2 minutes of competition with 10 minutes of “human interest” stories). Plus, they usually drag out the 1976 US Hockey Team-for some unknown reason. Who’s favored to win the “Ribbon Dancing” event-does anybody REALLY watch that? Agree-women’s beach volleyball is pretty good;) ---
**Author:** ![mister\_nyx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@mister\_nyx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mister_nyx)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/74 "2012-05-20T22:32:42Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I’m not looking forward to the games-the US TV coverage is really crappy (2 minutes of competition with 10 minutes of “human interest” stories). > Plus, they usually drag out the 1976 US Hockey Team-for some unknown reason. > Who’s favored to win the “Ribbon Dancing” event-does anybody REALLY watch that? > Agree-women’s beach volleyball is pretty good;) They invented this neat thing called a “paragraph”. You should look into it. It’d change your life. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/75 "2012-05-20T22:51:50Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Plus, they usually drag out the 1976 US Hockey Team-for some unknown reason. It’s the 1980 team. But you’ve spent years here without letting the facts get in the way of your asinine drivel; why change now, right? ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/76 "2012-05-21T02:19:58Z")
> [@MilTan](#): > > Huh. I actually took that as a reference to \*\* Bilbo1967\*\*'s username, and not a personal comment at all. :smack: My problem is that I rarely even look at usernames. That’s a pathetic thing to admit, but it’s true more often than not. It’s never personal, it’s just the way I skim down the page. My deepest apologies **Alka Seltzer** , **Bilbo1967** and everyone else. Edit to add, it was a good joke too **Alka Seltzer**! ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/77 "2012-05-21T02:45:45Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > $474 came from..? £300 British pounds = $474 American dollars at the time of that post. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/78 "2012-05-21T08:21:27Z")
No problem **Equipoise**. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/79 "2012-05-21T09:54:10Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I’m not looking forward to the games-the US TV coverage is really crappy (2 minutes of competition with 10 minutes of “human interest” stories). > Plus, they usually drag out the 1976 US Hockey Team-for some unknown reason. > Who’s favored to win the “Ribbon Dancing” event-does anybody REALLY watch that? > Agree-women’s beach volleyball is pretty good;) And it always turns out the guy is a professional athlete who trains 14-15 hours a day. Not exactly what you’d call interesting. And why should he be? Athletes aren’t interesting people, generally. ---
**Author:** ![spotthegerbil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@spotthegerbil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spotthegerbil)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/80 "2012-05-21T12:16:44Z")
News just in from the BBC. Olympic relay torches are being sold on ebay. Nice little earner. wish I’d signed up - seems like easy money for running 300 metres. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440.md?page=5)