Do you think any future Olympics will be hosted in Orlando ?

[doconeill]

BTW how big is Lake Placid compared to Salt Lake? They hosted the olympics there right?

Lake Placid hosted them in 1980 (as well as 1932), but there were less than half the number of athletes competing back then, in about half the events with about half the nations.

 

[plutospup]

The Los Angeles and Salt Lake City Olympics figures are skewed and also don't account for the additional expenses the taxpayers ended up covering.

Sorry, I just returned from a meeting in Salt Lake. I saw the numbers. The Olympics were huge for that city. Not only in money, but for the community as a whole. Tax revenues due to increased tourism, conventions, and the like continue to roll in many years after their Winter Olympics. Olympic games, if managed properly, can be profitable.

 

[plutospup]

I lived in Atlanta during the 1996 olympics and it was pretty crazy. The argument about the events and village being too spread out doesn't hold. For the Atlanta olympics, some of the events were held outside of the city, including Athens (72 mi.), Savannah (249 mi), Polk County, TN (127 mi), Birmingham, AL (145 mi.), as well as Washington D.C., Orlando and Miami for Soccer events. So, distance seems to matter very little..

For the reason mentioned above (not only Atlanta but other somewhat recent Olympiads) the IOC is making a point of seriously looking at how far away the venues are from the Athlete's Village. This point was discussed throughout the 2016 bid process.

As another poster mentioned the bidding process is very competitive regarding who can build the biggest and shiniest venues. Less expensive temporary venues can reduce costs. On the other hand, permanent facilites improve the community, and can create future revenue. It's a crazy race, that all starts with a dream, and continues with unbelievable determination.

 

[yitbos96bb]

1) Orlando is too smart to hold an Olympics.
2) With very few exceptions, Olympics lose MILLIONS of dollars for a city.

Agreed. Being from Chicago, the majority of the area was very happy we didn't get the games. Sure it would be cool, but the logistics of it would have been a nightmare.

The only way I see it as a positive is if enough money can be raised to drastically redo the infrastructures of a specific city... similar to Chicago with the 1892 World's Fair. If there was enough state and local and private money to build some amazing public structures and more importantly to significantly upgrade the public transportation and technological infrastructures, then I would have supported it. Otherwise, its just not worth it.

 

[yitbos96bb]

To me Orlando hosting the Olympics would be akin to saying that Las Vegas could. They are both fairly large cities but they draw in tourists not athletes. Where would you do the rowing events? Just doesn't make sense to me. Besides, the Olympics have been disappointing for cities lately. They spend a ton of money to bring the event there but rarely see a return on their investment.

COuld you imagine the disaster of the Olympics in Vegas? Betting scandal after betting scandal... from throwing a match to point shaving in team events.

 

[pooh2001]

Since Brazil is having unsafe conditions for tourists - do you think they would move the Olympics ?

"While it is unlikely that U.S. citizens would be targeted during such events, U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Brazil are advised to take common-sense precautions and avoid any large gatherings or any other event where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest. Individuals with ties to criminal entities operate along the tri-border area of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. These organizations are involved in the trafficking of illicit goods; some individuals in the area financially support designated foreign terrorist organizations. U.S. citizens crossing into Paraguay or Argentina should consult the Country Specific Information for those countries."

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1072.html#safety

 

[doconeill]

Since Brazil is having unsafe conditions for tourists - do you think they would move the Olympics ?

HIGHLY unlikely. First, it is still 5 years away. Second, security assurances would have already been given to the IOC.

 

[KYMickey]

Since Brazil is having unsafe conditions for tourists - do you think they would move the Olympics ?

It's too early to make this decision (which I don't think they will) it will be much closer to the actual events. At that time the only possible option would be to move them to one of the cities that had just tell them recently because of the necessity to have the infrastructure in place. Based on that London would obviously be the first choice with Beijing also being a possibility.

 

[plutospup]

The IOC already knew the security situation when they voted to have the games in Brazil.

The last time games changed cities prior to the Olympiad was Denver '76. Following the awarding of the games, the citizens of Denver openly denounced the plan. Without public support Denver '76 withdrew, and the games were given to Innsbruck. Innsbruck had hosted the games in 1964.

Interesting to note, Montreal spent tons of money for the summer '76 games, and led to a huge financial loss. Remember the unfinished domed stadium where the Expos played baseball? Los Angeles '84, on the other hand only 8 years later was a financial success. Olympic Games, if managed correctly, can produce financial success.

 

[Donut23]

I lived in Atlanta during the 1996 olympics and it was pretty crazy. The argument about the events and village being too spread out doesn't hold. For the Atlanta olympics, some of the events were held outside of the city, including Athens (72 mi.), Savannah (249 mi), Polk County, TN (127 mi), Birmingham, AL (145 mi.), as well as Washington D.C., Orlando and Miami for Soccer events. So, distance seems to matter very little.

Personally, I think Orlando, or central Florida will eventually bid and host the olympics sometime in the future. The entire region continues to grow, thanks in part to Disney and Universal. So, it may not be soon, but my guess would be within the next 20 or so years.

Didn't the organizers break out in a rash at the last minute about the heat in Atlanta? I would think that would be a BIG problem in Orlando in the summer.

 

[doconeill]

Moving to another city close to the date would be extremely difficult. Even the most recent venues would likely be unavailable. Some are temporary, others get rebuilt from general purpose to specific, and the housing often changes hands. They do not maintain Olympic villages in reserve.

The Denver '76 issue was resolved several years ahead of the games, and Innsbruck had maintained the facilities from 1964. Innsbruck wasn't even a bidder - the IOC offered it to Vancouver/Whistler (who ironically was last in the voting, but may have been the best prepared to move on) but they turned it down (Canada had a government change in between). I believe Salt Lake then stepped up but reportedly the IOC felt burned and didn't want to award it to another US location (Salt Lake obviously won the bid for 2002). Innsbruck was the most ready on the (relatively) short notice - and back then the number of competitors for a Winter games was relatively small (about half what it is today).

 

[JoyB-UK]

The IOC already knew the security situation when they voted to have the games in Brazil.

With regards to Brazil hosting the Olympics , alot of issues, security and otherwise will be figured out in 2014 as this is when Brasil hosts the World Cup (soccer). Hosting the world cup in Brazil is as big an event as the olympics to the Brazillians and many other nations around the world. It will see huge numbers travelling there so by the time the Olympics come around in 2016 the country should pretty well organised having learnt from the 2014 experience.

 

[chartle]

Since Brazil is having unsafe conditions for tourists - do you think they would move the Olympics ?

If something happened to change the IOC's mind they would either have to cancel or at least greatly reduce the size of the games.

Others have pointed out that they did move a Winter Olympics, but moving a Summer games just wouldn't happen.

Last Winter games had around 2,500 athletes, the last Summer had over 11,000. Also the Summer has I think three times the number of sports. So moving at this late date just is't going to happen.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Olympics in Orlando??

 

[fireflymedic]

I dont expect to see any in USA for a long long. with the ecomey the way it is, who has all the money to build the stadiums and stuff

 

[plutospup]

Following the IOC's 2016 decision, which ousted Chicago in the first round, I don't expect a U.S. bid in the near future. Admittedly, I'm biased, but Chicago 2016 was the best bid on the table - venues, proximity to Olympic Village, security,sponsorship, financial plan, and more. Unfortunately, IOC politics once again played in the decision.

The amount of money, time, and energy to put together a final round bid is tremendous. Right now to gamble it on the IOC would be questionable.

 

[doconeill]

Following the IOC's 2016 decision, which ousted Chicago in the first round, I don't expect a U.S. bid in the near future. Admittedly, I'm biased, but Chicago 2016 was the best bid on the table - venues, proximity to Olympic Village, security,sponsorship, financial plan, and more. Unfortunately, IOC politics once again played in the decision.

The amount of money, time, and energy to put together a final round bid is tremendous. Right now to gamble it on the IOC would be questionable.

Well, clearly they didn't spend enough money, at least in the right places

Despite the strength of the bid, the USOC and the IOC have a bit of a love-hate relationship.

 

[plutospup]

Well, clearly they didn't spend enough money, at least in the right places

Ah, yes... Salt Lake City.

Of course the same could be said for prior winning cities as well. At least Salt Lake was a very successful Olympiad, financially successful, and the city is still reaping rewards of that Olympiad today.