Are the Olympics that important?

[Devastatin Dave]

Check out this story...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...31/wfran31.xml

Sounds like the French are taking not getting to host the Olympics a little hard. From what I understand, most cities that have hosted has lost money. I remember when Atlanta hosted it and the city lost money. So are the French this distraught and for good reason? Looking for an European prospective...

[Don Corleone]

That's funny, Jag swears everything the French government does is perfect and the rest of the world needs to emulate them. He couldn't be WRONG now, could he?

It sounds like the guy is trying to give a 'snap out of it' speech to his countrymen. I don't know enough about France's economic growth propsects to comment on how necessary that truly is, but I will say a sharp self-rebuke never hurt anyone, even if it was more than necessary.

[Don Corleone]

Hey, by the way, self-criticism is always easier when done in company. Wanna know the US's dirty little secret? Consumer debt! You heard about how it was the consumers of this country that jumpstarted the economy out of recession? Well some of that was from taxcuts, that was true. But take a look at the debt the average American household has taken on in the past 5 years.

In the spirit of Monsieur Lévy, let me exhort my countrymen to slow down, and quit spending money like a bunch of drunken sailors. Sooner or later, interest rates are going to take an upswing, then we're all screwed. Pay your credit cards off, then go buy yourself something. Wait, donate to a famine relief organization, pay your credit cards off, then go buy yourself something!!!!

[Roark]

Our hosting of the 2000 Olympics was one of the best things to happen to Sydney. Our tourism trade has benefited enormously, now that people realise what a beautiful area it is. It was just good for raising global awareness of Sydney in general.

[Devastatin Dave]

Hey, by the way, self-criticism is always easier when done in company. Wanna know the US's dirty little secret? Consumer debt! You heard about how it was the consumers of this country that jumpstarted the economy out of recession? Well some of that was from taxcuts, that was true. But take a look at the debt the average American household has taken on in the past 5 years.

In the spirit of Monsieur Lévy, let me exhort my countrymen to slow down, and quit spending money like a bunch of drunken sailors. Sooner or later, interest rates are going to take an upswing, then we're all screwed. Pay your credit cards off, then go buy yourself something. Wait, donate to a famine relief organization, pay your credit cards off, then go buy yourself something!!!!

Amen to that... It is so entrenched in our culture to borrow, borrow, then borrow some more. One day we'll have to pay...

But atleast we're not French!!! Just a joke my oversensitive Euro-buddies out there

[GodsPetMonkey]

Hey, by the way, self-criticism is always easier when done in company. Wanna know the US's dirty little secret? Consumer debt! You heard about how it was the consumers of this country that jumpstarted the economy out of recession? Well some of that was from taxcuts, that was true. But take a look at the debt the average American household has taken on in the past 5 years.

It's the same in most 1st world countries. I know a few years back the average Australian owed over 2 times what they earned, whilst in the mid 80's it was 0.5 times what they earned! Debt makes the world go 'round

Our hosting of the 2000 Olympics was one of the best things to happen to Sydney. Our tourism trade has benefited enormously, now that people realise what a beautiful area it is. It was just good for raising global awareness of Sydney in general.

Despite the fact that the games at the time were a net loss (and a major drain on public funds). If you look in the short term, that is, up to and while the games are running, it seems that they are not worth the effort, but the exposure Sydney gained was tremendous! If the same could be said of Athens or London, well, I just don't know, but it's the residual effects that they are after, which could last for 10 years or more!

[ichi]

We hosted the 2002 winter games, made about $100 million, had a big party, and got to keep some nice venues.

I got to work on the Olympic Torch Run, met some great people and had a blast

ichi

[JAG]

That's funny, Jag swears everything the French government does is perfect and the rest of the world needs to emulate them. He couldn't be WRONG now, could he?

I do?! :O News to me.

I have stated here how when people talk of the French economy they never highlight the positives and that it is not all bad, sure. But state everything France does is perfect.. Nope. Like many countries it has positives and negatives, indeed much like mine and yours.

As for the article, France seems to be having a bit of a hard time of late, I am sure it will turn around soon.

[PanzerJaeger]

The President of one of the world's biggest advertising agencies has issued a damning state-of-the-nation assessment that describes France as being in steep decline and his countrymen as "narrowed and stunted".

Hilare!!

[Crazed Rabbit]

JAG, did you even read the article? In the seemingly more than probable case that you did not, here are some excerpts:

"What I wrote was hard, but true. France is not in a crisis, it's worse than that. A crisis is usually sudden and short, while we are in an endemic situation,"

"We have narrowed and stunted ourselves and we paint ourselves as losers, and no one wants to be among the losers. It's time we opened our eyes wide, took an icy shower and looked reality in the face: we are in decline, going down a slippery slope.

"The Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry has reminded us of our [public] debt and the fact that we are living beyond our means. We knew the figures, yet no government for the last 20 years has wanted to draw a conclusion from them. The figures that attest to our decline are known to all."

Later, when it was necessary, alas, to make redundancies, the compensation was set at 90 per cent, therefore allowing those made redundant to earn yet more without working. Why in that case, make any effort to find a job? In doing this, trying to avoid any difficulties for them, we have turned the French into children.

The final straw has to be the absurd decision to introduce the 35-hour working week when we were told repeatedly that we could work less and earn more. How on earth in this context can we expect the same French people to accept necessary reforms?

I do?! :O News to me.

Oh, really JAG. Every chance you get you rave on about the great social system France has, their great economy and safety nets and easy, high paid jobs. The article says there aren't many, if any, positives.

And its not going to turn around if changes aren't made. That was the whole point of the article, by a man who heads one of the best companies in France. This is not a little fluke, this is the inevitable effect of the policies France has implemented.

Crazed Rabbit

[Al Khalifah]

The loss of the Olympic games is surely a symptom of France's recent downturn rather than a cause of. At the moment, France just lacks a place in the world and has a rather poor public image, which naturally the head of an advertising agency would pick up on. It has no real raison d'être.

[Devastatin Dave]

Your right Al, I haven't watch the Olympics since a kid. Now that they have "curdling" (sp?) and got rid of baseball, I'll watch even less...
I just do not understand the need to host one of these things...

[Crazed Rabbit]

I'd like to go to one, just for fun. But it appears, with the removal of baseball and another sport played widely in America, that the Olympic commitee wants to stick it to the Americans.

Crazed Rabbit

[Sasaki Kojiro]

I don't see the point of having baseball or basketball or tennis etc. Olympics is more about the gymnastics, swimming and track and field to me.

[Idomeneas]

I dont see any point in the modern ''olympics''. They dont have any relation to the actual spirit of the ancient ones, rather they are a game of international companies and chemical pumped up athletes. Fake smiles, fake promises for future peace and bla bla bla, but nothing in essence. And thats a Greek saying that.

[Don Corleone]

I'd like to go to one, just for fun. But it appears, with the removal of baseball and another sport played widely in America, that the Olympic commitee wants to stick it to the Americans.

Crazed Rabbit

The reason they quit having baseball wasn't to stick it to Americans. It was because American baseball players, unlike basketball, wouldn't go.

[Al Khalifah]

I dont see any point in the modern ''olympics''. They dont have any relation to the actual spirit of the ancient ones, rather they are a game of international companies and chemical pumped up athletes. Fake smiles, fake promises for future peace and bla bla bla, but nothing in essence. And thats a Greek saying that.

I would love to see some traditional events make a come-back. Can you imagine a greater spectacle than a chariot race? No one alive today has seen one of these.

The reason for them wanting the removal of baseball and softball?

Softball Gold Medal Winners:
1996 - USA
2000 - USA
2004 - USA

Baseball Gold Medal Winners:
1992 - Cuba
1996 - Cuba
2000 - USA (no Cuban team)
2004 - Cuba

[Al Khalifah]

Baseball is boring. The clue is in the fact that 'The World Series' only contains American teams.

[Sjakihata]

baseball and cricket are boring, that's a fact. Now, football, that's action packed.

[Sjakihata]

yes, real football. The game where you use your feet to kick the ball around. Not the petty american version of football, where you in fact use the hands...

[Dutch_guy]

Your right Al, I haven't watch the Olympics since a kid. Now that they have "curdling" (sp?) and got rid of baseball, I'll watch even less...
I just do not understand the need to host one of these things...

well curling certainly didn't make the Olympics more exiting , but it didn't stop me watching the olympics though.
I just watch the swimming and the running / sprinting parts.

I can imagine that being the center of attention for the duration of the Olympics would be very good for that country / city.
lot's of tourist and lot's of media attention.

[Es Arkajae]

Way I heard it France was close in the running with London but still slightly ahead when Chirac suffered from an outbreak of foot-in-mouth disease and thus cost his country a few crucial votes.

[Al Khalifah]

Let's be honest now... does anyone actually like Chirac? And I mean ANYONE.

[Petrus]

Let's be honest now... does anyone actually like Chirac? And I mean ANYONE.

My grandmother did but as she died last year i'm not sure there is still anyone.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Soccer is the best sport in the world!

I agree that the Olympics should probably focus more on individual athletes than team sports.

Crazed Rabbit

[Al Khalifah]

Rugby must be in the 2012 Olympics! And I want full rugby, not VII's, I want full Rugby Union hell. The only problem is that as Team GB we be we'd have to water down the world champions again with the Welsh and the Scots.

[bmolsson]

Olympics is important. Sport is something we need to embrace. It's good for everyone....