# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/81 "2012-05-21T13:37:18Z")
> [@spotthegerbil](#): > > News just in from the BBC. Olympic relay torches are being sold on ebay. Post 13 beat the BBC to it šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/82 "2012-05-21T13:52:00Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Thanks for all the cites, **mhendo**! > > Okay, one more comment and Iā€™ll leave it yā€™allā€™s capable hands. > > Maybe itā€™s time to ā€œre-inventā€ 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 ā€œGreece! now the permanent home of the Olympics!ā€, 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, Iā€™m not really good at logistics. Thatā€™s why Iā€™m friends with YOU guys!šŸ˜ƒ > > Quasi But then the IOC members would lose all their [bribes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOC#Salt_Lake_Bid_Scandal)from the cities competing for the next Olympic extravaganza! One thing to bear in mind is that the International Olympics Committee has been a Swiss corporation from the beginning. Much of the aggressive legal repression of possible competition by the IOC is the same sort of MegaCorpInc business ethics that outfits that WalMart are regularly castigated for. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/83 "2012-05-21T15:52:15Z")
> [@Kal](#): > > Donā€™t forget that thereā€™s also the Diamond Jubilee, Wimbledon and Euro 2012 to endure beforehand. An entire Summer packed with fun. Why do you think this is the year I decided to emigrate? ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@Double\_Foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Foolscap)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/84 "2012-05-21T16:21:57Z")
At least with the Jubilee we get a day off. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/85 "2012-05-22T16:33:22Z")
My brother and sister-in-law are Londoners and were able to get tickets to all the events they wanted to see at face value. ---
**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 22, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/86 "2012-05-22T17:23:38Z")
> [@Bilbo1967](#): > > 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? I didnā€™t complain about the disruption- the OP did. I complained about the greed of it all. But if I _wanted_ to go out, I couldnā€™t, thanks to Hitlerā€™s burning stick- and what if Iā€™m taken ill? I could die while the ambulance struggled through the crowds of yokels. ---
**Author:** ![Bilbo1967](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@Bilbo1967](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bilbo1967)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/87 "2012-05-22T17:37:45Z")
> [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](#): > > I didnā€™t complain about the disruption- the OP did. I complained about the greed of it all. > > But if I _wanted_ to go out, I couldnā€™t, thanks to Hitlerā€™s burning stick- and what if Iā€™m taken ill? I could die while the ambulance struggled through the crowds of yokels. You should probably learn what ā€˜dittoā€™ means. As for the post above, I fear irony is rearing its head here - nobody could post that with a straight face. ā€˜Hitlerā€™s burning stickā€¦ā€™ - priceless. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/88 "2012-05-22T17:51:02Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > I also happen think the projected Ā£11 billion cost to the UK taxpayers is sufficiently high that I donā€™t really feel like worrying how theyā€™re going to recoup the rest of their costs. Thereā€™s a reason itā€™s not in the same place every time- no country is quite that rich or insane. There is really no reason for the Olympics to cost a host country a penny. The 1984 Los Angeles games turned a $200 million profit. All it takes is have a rational plan and sticking to it. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/89 "2012-05-22T18:54:09Z")
> [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](#): > > Ditto - though Iā€™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. Britishisms are so adorable! When the torch was run through the area I lived in just prior to the Atlanta Olympics, I affectionately referred to it as the ā€œflaming dildo.ā€ šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/90 "2012-05-22T19:11:52Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > There is really no reason for the Olympics to cost a host country a penny. The 1984 Los Angeles games turned a $200 million profit. All it takes is have a rational plan and sticking to it. Indeed. The key is that for L.A., they hardly built any new facilities. Just a new swimming stadium and a new velodrome, both as cheaply as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/91 "2012-05-22T19:14:45Z")
Filbertā€™s attitude is exactly what pretty much everyoneā€™s was when I was a kid and the Olympics came to Los Angeles in 1984. Pleasant surprise though ā€¦ it was the best time ever to be in Los Angeles. Traffic went away, the streets were all decorated, Randy Newman came out with ā€œI Love LAā€, and all the aggravation of the city just seemed to evaporate into the general excitement. I wish London an L.A. experience and not an Atlanta one! ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/92 "2012-05-22T19:47:43Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > Indeed. The key is that for L.A., they hardly built any new facilities. Just a new swimming stadium and a new velodrome, both as cheaply as possible. Also the tennis stadium at UCLA, but that might have just been a coincidence. L.A. had the advantage that it had hosted the Olympics in 1932, so was able to reuse the Coliseum and some other facilities that were built back then. Also, while security was tight in 1984, I donā€™t think it was expensive as it is now. In any case, what is the 11 billion pounds paying for? Does it leave you with cool new facilities that you can use for the 100 years? ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/93 "2012-05-23T01:22:34Z")
I wish theyā€™d add ā€œSoccer Hooliganismā€ to the competition. Germanyā€™d give you a run for it, but my moneyā€™s still on the Brits. ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/94 "2012-05-23T06:13:34Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > There is really no reason for the Olympics to cost a host country a penny. The 1984 Los Angeles games turned a $200 million profit. All it takes is have a rational plan and sticking to it. Pretty much the only thing I really remember from LA is utterly relentless advertising - the MacDonalds pool, etc. The rules changed because of LA and advertising is no longer allowed at stadiums and generally. Afaik, the limit is ā€˜sponsorshipā€™. Instead of advertising, the Olympics relies on rinsing taxpayers. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/95 "2012-05-23T16:01:59Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > There is really no reason for the Olympics to cost a host country a penny. The 1984 Los Angeles games turned a $200 million profit. All it takes is have a rational plan and sticking to it. Itā€™s not that simple. Not every city has (a) lots of pre-existing facilities (b) a massive and by world standards very rich local market which makes sponsors willing and able to fund the whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/96 "2012-05-23T16:06:25Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Agree, as long as they keep ladiesā€™ sand volleyball. This is the only event worth a damn. It should count for 15 or 20 medals. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/97 "2012-05-23T16:19:32Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > Found it on ā€œThe Guardianā€ web site on 4/13/12: > > [Olympics 2012: branding ā€˜policeā€™ to protect sponsorsā€™ exclusive rights](http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/apr/13/olympics-2012-branding-police-sponsors) I was kind of ā€œmehā€ for this pitting, but reading that, Iā€™m all for this pitting now. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/98 "2012-05-23T17:25:17Z")
> [@Greg\_Charles](#): > > Filbertā€™s attitude is exactly what pretty much everyoneā€™s was when I was a kid and the Olympics came to Los Angeles in 1984. Pleasant surprise though ā€¦ it was the best time ever to be in Los Angeles. Traffic went away, the streets were all decorated, Randy Newman came out with ā€œI Love LAā€, and all the aggravation of the city just seemed to evaporate into the general excitement. > > I wish London an L.A. experience and not an Atlanta one! Not too sure why the dig at the Atlanta games - they were the most attended Olympics in history exceeding the the tickets sold at the LA games and Barcelona _combined_\*, and attendance figures since: 1996: 11 million spectators. 2000: 6.7 million spectators. 2004: 5.3 million spectators. 2008: 7 million spectators. 2012: 9 million spectators (est)) The Atlanta games eked out a $10 million profit, and were entire privately funded. Perhaps you meant ā€œAthensā€, which was the least attended games since 1980, was entire publicly funded, which has greatly contributed to the countryā€™s current financial and political problems. The IOC was glad to fuck the people of Greece royally (and by extension, the world) because they didnā€™t like the ā€œovercommercializationā€ of the Atlanta gamesā€¦ and weā€™re _still_ paying for that attitude. [Here is a PDF report](http://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-062211-112745/unrestricted/Final_Report.pdf.) showing the Games impact on London. Included are the attendance figures cited above. - [IOC Athletes Commission - Athlete Involvement in the Olympic Movement](http://www.olympic.org/content/the-ioc/commissions/marketing/evolution-of-marketing/) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/99 "2012-05-23T17:36:45Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Itā€™s not that simple. Not every city has (a) lots of pre-existing facilities (b) a massive and by world standards very rich local market which makes sponsors willing and able to fund the whole thing. Then they (a) shouldnā€™t be hosting the Olympics in the first place, or (b) bitch about the problems that arise when they do. Not every country is capable of hosting and they should realize that. Does this mean that the Olympics should be restricted to only the biggest countries with the greatest infrastructure? Maybe. But themā€™s the breaks. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440/100 "2012-05-23T17:46:51Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Not too sure why the dig at the Atlanta games - they were the most attended Olympics in history exceeding the the tickets sold at the LA games and Barcelona _combined_\*, and attendance figures since: Sorry, I didnā€™t know that. I just remember them being marred by poor organization, athletes missing events because of traffic, a bomb blast, and Celine Dion at the opening ceremonies. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-olympics-this-is-the-final-straw/622440.md?page=6)