Is it costing too much to host the olympics these days?

Question

And is this why none of the smaller countries ever bid for it?

Answer 1

Yes way to much but I think China can afford it.

Answer 2

Yes, I live in Chicago, we are bidding for 2012, and have already spent millions -- and then we have all that building to do if we get the bid. But at lease we already have some infrastructure, China had to start from scratch.  

Answer 3

$300 Million for the opening ceremonies alone? What gives you the impression that it is expensive to host?

Answer 4

yea

Answer 5

Simple answer is yes. There are so many criteria in terms of infrastructure and transport, hotel accommodation, security arrangements etc that a city needs to meet before you can even think about ploughing millions into the venues that will be needed to host the event that won't be used much afterwards for the sake of 2 weeks sporting excellence.

One positive is that, certainly for London 2012 and Barcelona 1992 and i'm sure others too, whole areas of the city get a well needed makeover. Sadly a good whack of my taxes will fund the London games when i couldn't give 2 hoots about them from up here in Scotland where we might get a few football games and i had no say as to if tLondon should host the games. With spiralling estimations as to the total cost of the London games it looks like Paris who lost out to London on the very last vote played their 'get out of jail card'.

Despite holding the summer games back in 1976, it took Canadian taxpayers 30 years to cover their construction and running costs of the games. A good government decision?

However the investment China will see from this single event will more than pay for the cost of holding the games!