The Olympic games were created in the 8th century BC in Greece, where they were held until the end of the fourth century AD. The games were revived at the end of the 19th century and are now held in a different country every four years.
Every four years another city spends horrendous and ever-increasing amounts of money to build stadia, Olympic villages and facilities that are way too big for the host countries to use after the games are over. Host countries regularly overspend, squander moneys and create unnecessary chaos in the host cities.
New York is the permanent home of the UN and its General Assembly, Davos annually hosts the World Economic Forum. Why not make Greece the permanent home of the games?
By moving the games back to Greece, we would not only save billions spent on unnecessary facilities, we would also inject a much-needed investment into Greece. Building state of the art Olympic facilities would create jobs and help to bring down Greece’s very high unemployment. (More than fifty per-cent unemployment in the 15-24 year-olds).
This would be money much better spent than the billions of Euros sunk into worthless Greek bonds. Moreover, it would also boost Greece’s self-esteem and give the country its pride back.
Sending the Games back to Greece is a win-win strategy. The only losers would be the members of the International Olympic Committee that decides where games are held. They would be out of work. Now that brings a smile to my face.
That's the first post of yours in a while I agree with. :) Games in Greece has also the advantage of (partially) reusing the 2006 facilities.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, some say that part of the problems if Greece today are due to the excess spending towards 2006 games...
finally...:)
DeleteGood stuff David. Bang on, you held my interest, and advice is unassailable.
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT IDEA…………………………………….
ReplyDeleteAnd while we are at it, why not move the Soccer World Championships to Greece as well?
ReplyDeleteThat would require the building of a dozen more stadia and might help to abolish the governing body of FIFA.
Now that would cause roaring laughter on every honest soccer fan`s face!
......what a phantastic suggestion, David!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBut it won't be realized due to that hypocrite interpertation of global democracy that every country should have such a "sportive" chance.
Anyway, do sent it to the European Council in Brussels immediately.
Splendidly original (well...) idea on the Olympics - and why not extend the idea of great international events as an economic and status booster to others eg The Davos World Economic Forum could be displaced to Khartoum or Addis. Now that might change global priorities.....and thin out the ranks of well-heeled hangers on.
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