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Wow, now I KNOW you're nuts. Thanks for affirming it.

Jealousy has nothing to do with it; I don't care if it's Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton or Calgary hosting it...I'd take the Olympics over an IAAF event ANYDAY. You're pretty delusional if you think the populations of aforementioned cities would say or vote otherwise. Do you seriously think Hamilton would come out and say "Hey, I'd rather watch 2 or 3 people MAYBE medal in track over all of our well known National Heroes competing at a local venue.....guys like Iginla or Yzerman".

Anyways,

Just look at France - 7 million ACTUAL viewers on average. 7 Million * 10 days = 70 million viewers in France, alone. Add up another hundred countries, and 4 billion seems on the low side.

Show me the figures then. It's irrelavent unless you do, so stop trying to pull figures outta yer arse. I'll agree with you when (if) you do.

Your analogies are hardly relevant in this case. World Series of Poker is hardly a huge international event, nor is Ping Pong. The World Track and Field Championships are HIGHLY popular ALL over the world. With over 200 countries participating, that's a good measuring device. I don't know how many Winter countries participate, but it's NOT in 3 figures.

Hardly relevant? I'M USING YOUR REASONING!! Need proof?

Originally posted by your words
No I'm not nuts. I would take an event that has DOUBLE the popularity.

I can easily argue that poker (or even Nascar) has twice the popularity of the SCF, so therefore, using your reasoning, you would host poker or a Nascar event over watching the hometown Oil compete in the cup final.

Ask yourself this? Do you prefer watching the Grey Cup or the Superbowl? Which event would you rather have Calgary host?

Grey Cup. No question. Way more signifigance to the city. I'll admit a bias here though, as I hate football. I'm also not sure why you posted this, as you are using sporting events that you just tried to disqualify (not "international enough").

Whatever you say, it doesn't matter. The World's are bigger INTERNATIONALLY than the Winter Olympics,

I've never questioned this claim. Actually, I agree with it. I'm merely pointing out that in terms of signifigance to Canadians, the majority would choose to host an event that is identifiable with the fabric and culture that defines it. Can you name the location of the last 4 or 5 IAAF events? Prior to today I couldn't. Do the same for the Winter Olympics, and see what you come up with.

and the fact is that Edmonton has hosted the biggest International event in the World.

You sure you don't want to edit that? I can think of a few events (both sporting and non sporting) bigger than your track meet.