Combatting cynicism vs. inspiration

[shootingstar]

Am watching a tv show now, that is abit propagandistic about the Olympic torch relay across Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympics. It's great to see some other communities across our country, preparing for celebrations and practicing for their part in the Olympic torch relay.

It's day 3 now in the relay countdown. Strange to some locals (in Vancouver) 'cause the construction of the Olympic athlete's village is still not done.

Am trying to combat cynicism where here in Vancouver, it's concern about impeding security, traffic jams, noise, crowds, inflationary hotel prices, budget overruns, etc. instead of athletic achievements to witness.

I need to kick apart cynicism and..be inspired by observing and being part of little Maidei's journey worldwide by bike, etc.

[badger]

I'm beyond cynicism, I'm downright jaded.

I don't look at the Olympics as anything but the coporate big wigs trying to make money. We're going to be paying for this for a LONG time to come. I voted "no" to have the Olympics, and I still stand by that. I can't wait for it to be done.

[TsPoet]

Had a friend that lived in Salt Lake City in the years before their Olympics. She still starts complaining about how horrible it all was every time she sees a road construction sign, even the tiniest little bit of construction and she's off complaining about the SLC Olympic preparation and what it did to the city. She does grudgingly admit, though, that the aftermath was improved traffic control and some added city niceties (like a park somewhere) and even the Olympic venues themselves leftover for other uses after the Olympics.
Hang in there.

[sfa]

I think cynicism comes with the territory for anyone whose hometown is the site of the Olympic games. My sister was in Atlanta during the 1996 games and she and her husband had endless stories about bad planning, bad traffic, cost overruns, etc. But they also had a fabulous time attending many of the events (as did I, being eternally grateful for a couch to sleep on)!

Has any Olympic venue completed the preparations enough in advance? I think most places are putting athletes in room with wet paint still on the walls!

Sarah

[badger]

I think almost all the venues are finished now, but none of them are open to the public. There's a new pool that was built in conjunction with the curling venue that we're itching to get at, but alas, not open to the peasants until AFTER the Olympics.

[jobob]

I was so relieved when San Francisco was not chosen to be the US bid city for 2016.

[Pax]

I was so relieved when San Francisco was not chosen to be the US bid city for 2016.

Ditto for Chicago.

[badger]

we had a referendum to see if the residents of Vancouver wanted to host it. It was only 51% in favour, and I know the bidding committe was worried it wasn't enough to get it. I was quite shocked we got it with almost half the residents against it.

[PamNY]

Noise, crowds and traffic jams are very real issues. The NY Yankees just won the World Series, and the ticker tape parade was one block from my house. Granted, this is just one day, but still -- I wasn't planning to get up at 5 am but I didn't have a choice. They were out there screaming before dawn, and there is still paper and broken beer bottles out there.

I'm sure the Olympics are inspiring, but there are a lot of headaches and very real problems for the host city. I wouldn't call concern about those problems cynicism.

Pam