Olympic Games Research Paper

Superior Essays
Started in Olympia, Greece in 1896, the quadrennial mega-event, namely the Olympic Games, has been widely spread in all around the world to draw attention among people with the sense of competition in sports. Today, the Olympic Games does not only represents the spirit of sport, but the emblem of global attention as well as achieving the world city status. The Olympic Games has certainly benefited the host cities from growing its place market, enhancing urban regeneration (Essex, 2000) and the improvement of environment. Yet, there are voices that consider the cost of the Olympic game overshadows the benefits. This essay discusses the true cost of the Olympic Games in the areas of economy, games divided, legacy planning of the host city and the actual benefits that the Olympic games brings to the community.

The imbalance of expenditure and revenue of the Olympic Games has always been an issue for the host city. According to Allison
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The Olympic Games can stimulate the place market by adding jobs opportunities and attract tourists. It can also transform the transportation system of the host city, result in an all-round traffic system. Moreover, the Olympic Games can provide a long term environmentally benefits to the host city. However, the costs of the Olympic Games can also be crucial. The expenses to host the city can be immeasurable due to the quick changes in global market. Games dividend is not guarantee to compensate the effort that the host city makes. Also, default in legacy planning may result in heavy debt and abandoned facilities. In general, the costs of the Olympic Games do not seem to outweigh the benefits. Rather, it provides the future hosting city some essential consultations so that the costs of hosting the Olympic Games can eventually be minimized in the future

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