Quote:
Originally Posted by valo403
I don't really see what any of this, save the first two paragraphs, has to do with anything. There are a limited number of cities that really have the ability or interest to host the winter games, and Calgary is among them. When you have only had 20 events you wouldn't expect a lot of repeats, but there were plenty. The cause isn't important, the same causes could arise for Calgary in say 2038 as did Lake Placid in 1980. The IOC has shown a desire to bring the games to North America, and they aren't likely to grant them to American cities over and over again so that leaves Canada. I'd be stunned if Canada doesn't host another winter games in the next 30 years. If that happens Calgary would certainly be in the mix.
Calgary's existing infrastructure will not be useful for the most part, but nothing indicates that Calgary has any interest in simply watching that infrastructure deteriorate. The only venues I really see a potential issue with are the sliding tracks and the oval, and of course the ski jumps which are already obsolete. The sliding tracks can likely be maintained, they'd have to be if Calgary wants to continue to be a world cup site, but the oval might need major updates by then. It's hard to say though, the oval is still pretty state of the art in terms of speed skating venues, will much change in another 30 years? Other venues will be updating for other reasons, there will without a doubt be a new arena sometime in the next 10 years, the nordic center has always been top class, there are numerous possible venues for skiing events, and other events are pretty much always held at temporary or converted venues.
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Unless Calgary's competition is completely limp, a bid advertising using 30-50 year old facilities, despite whatever upgrades might occur is not a very attractive bid. It doesn't speak well for this city either and is bad for our image and our own civic pride that we would be reduced to something like that versus building all new venues.
What I am pointing out about repeat hosts is showing that it is statistically unlikely that any host will repeat twice and that it is historically undesirable to the IOC. The only exceptions have been in times of extraordinary circumstance.
1. St. Moritz was cobbled together because of WWII
2. Innusbruck was awarded the games when they didn't even make a bid because the winning bidder in Denver pulled out after taxpayers voted against it. At that point, their infrastructure was only 12 years old and still viable and the IOC had few options.
3. Lake Placid was awarded the games the 2nd time when their only competition pulled out of the voting phase and they won uncontested as the only option
Judging from history, for Calgary to win the games anytime in the next half-century is very unlikely and IMHO, it would be a waste of time and tax dollars to make a bid. I'm not saying that Calgary will never have another Winter Olympics again, but it's not likely in the next 50 years, especially if the economies of Europe improve and development of cities in the Southern Hemisphere and Russia improve as well over those years.