The Olympics may reach $12.5 Billion in Costs...Do You Think It Worth it?

**minir** · 08-09-04, 05:57 AM

Hi to All

This in the Morning Paper.
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The total price tag for the Olympics has grown in the last two years from $5.5 billion US to more than $7.2 billion.

Some analysts predict the final cost could climb to $12.5 billion.

A record $1.5 billion is being spent on security alone.

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What are your feelings on this? Personally i think it has passed the stage of making any sense.

My personal opinion is with all the Drugs being used by the Athletes it no longer represents what it once did and is simply now about Money.

The Athletes strive to Win for future Endorsements and Show Fees they can get for entering other Events after the Olympics, due to their Draw Factor.

The Costs to prevent Terrorist Attacks has burgeoned to ridiculous highs and overall the Monies could be better spent on more beneficial Social Programs.

Leave the sports Events to smaller venues that presently exist imho.

What Say You???
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regards

minir

***Roody*** · 08-09-04, 06:00 AM

I'm still a huge fan of the Olympics. I know they have lost alot of their luster, and it is no doubt expensive what with all the security concerns to name a few, but yes I do think it's worth it.

**minir** · 08-09-04, 06:07 AM

Good Morning Roody

Thanks for your reply.

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regards

minir

**wee96** · 08-09-04, 06:54 AM

I love the olympics, all the countries coming together for a fun time of competition, instead of coming together for war or something negative. Ive been to the olympics, was the best time of my life, so many different people from different countries all laughing, enjoying themselves, I sat down with 3 german guys and an iraqi (yep) and they were the nicest guys ive met. German guy even bought me a beer, cuz I was underage at the time

**minir** · 08-09-04, 07:26 AM

Good Morning wee96

Thanks for replying wee and pleased to hear you've enjoyed a positive experience their.

Have a Grand day

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regards

minir

**zooner** · 08-09-04, 07:29 AM

I think we'll pass $500 billion for iraq, so 12 billion for the unity of nations seems like a bargain to me.

**minir** · 08-09-04, 08:00 AM

Hi zooner

Hard for me to equate the 2, but point taken.

Thanks for your reply and Do have a Great day

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regards

minir

**tao_jones** · 08-09-04, 08:14 AM

I like the olympics but having them in Athens seems like a huge cluster f##k now...hard to build an olympic village with all of the protected ruins there.

**minir** · 08-09-04, 08:23 AM

Hi tao_jones

It was more difficult to get the Workers Working it seems, however they have almost completed it, with the exception of a Roof over the Swimming Pool which they abandoned due to time limitations.

With their Hot weather it may pose a problem for the Athletes, but all will have the same problem so it negates itself to some extent.

Thanks for your reply & do Enjoy your day

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regards

minir

**tao_jones** · 08-09-04, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by minir

Hi tao_jones

It was more difficult to get the Workers Working it seems, however they have almost completed it, with the exception of a Roof over the Swimming Pool which they abandoned due to time limitations.

With their Hot weather it may pose a problem for the Athletes, but all will have the same problem so it negates itself to some extent.

Thanks for your reply & do Enjoy your day

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regards

minir

I am pulling for the greece's baseball team

**downhill** · 08-09-04, 08:36 AM

I"ve always enjoyed watching them. Regretfully drug use seems to be a problem.

I'm still going to tune into a few favorites.

**64bit** · 08-09-04, 08:45 AM

Love watching them. Its all still worth it imo. There is never another time when all those great athletes are in one place. I love it all from the ping pong to the 100yrd dash and everything inbetween.

**Dan** · 08-09-04, 09:02 AM

I'm not watching the olympics probably,

I just finished watching the X games,now that was fun to watch!!!!

I'd rather watch the X games.

**tao_jones** · 08-09-04, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by CommanderCody

I just finished watching the X games,now that was fun to watch!!!!

I love the X Games

**minir** · 08-09-04, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by tao_jones

I am pulling for the greece's baseball team

Hi tao_jones, downhill & 64bit

tao_jones

Balls you say!

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downhill

Drugs for sure downhill. The Americans it seem have been especially hard hit.

They'll never clean it up unfortunately as they are playing Catchup all the time. Someone invents a New Drug and months later the Doping Operation finds a means to detect it and on it goes. Shame really.

The old story " If I don't, They will.' to me seems a cop out to me. Surely All athletes can accept No Drugs as a standard.

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64bit

I too watch as i love athletics. I watch as much as possible here. In Canada we do get better coverage overall than in the USA where it is USA only oriented for the most part. here we cover pretty much everything whether we are involved as a Country or not.

It should be a Good Games i hope.

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Thanks to you All and i wish each of you a Lovely day

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regards

minir

**minir** · 08-09-04, 09:11 AM

Morning CommanderCody & tao_jones

I have No Clue What the x Games are so i can't comment...sorry

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Have a Good one Guys

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regards

minir

**JawZ** · 08-09-04, 09:12 AM

Yes it is worth it. It is worth NOT giving up so easily on something so grand.

the drugs are really a non-issue for me because it is something that just needs to be enforced with a one-strike you're out type rule. Use drugs....banned from ALL competition forever. Just that simple. So it's not an Olympic issue, it's an integrity issue. We have kids that use drugs in High School to be better football players....so it's on every level.

And just to jar everyone's memory, the last Olympic bombing was in America.

So as for the security, it's part of the current landscape....and we helped create that landscape unfortunately.

But giving up is not an option imo.

**JawZ** · 08-09-04, 09:18 AM

As far as social programs go.....aren't the Olympics the biggest social experiment ever?

Again.....we can't afford to give up on them so easily.

**minir** · 08-09-04, 09:21 AM

Hi UOD

UOD i too love to watch the Games but am wondering if the cost any longer justifies the Event.

So much money spent that imho could be put to much better use.

Fully half the Worlds population have no means to watch them. No TV, or hopes of ever acquiring one.

12 Billion is a lot of money in any mans language and i wonder would it not go a long way to Care for those in need and do more for World Peace because of that.

When Hungry Bellies are assuaged, Anger softens imho. When Work is given, less need and time to Riot and Rampage.

Just a thought???

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Thanks UOD and Have Fun

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regards

minir

**64bit** · 08-09-04, 09:40 AM

Thankfully the U.S. coverage has gotten much better since about the 96 games. Its on about 6 channels and you can really watch whatever your interested in. Now if only they could get some European soccer coverage I wouldn't have any complaints.