There are several levels of wins in this process. Cgy has bid many times for the games after 88. The first gate is to win Canada's bid - which I don't think has happened since 88. (example, the one I remember was when Salt Lake had the games, Cgy put a bid in, but we were beaten in Canada by Quebec City). I think this process is very normal, and really nothing to get excited about yet.
The profitability of the 88 Games is debatable, really. OCO88/CODA turned a profit, and that is what is largely cited, but they referred to their own books only. Their accounting did not include government spending on facilities. That being said, given how the five venues built by the government have enjoyed continuous use for 25 years, I'd say that was also a good investment.
On there being only three bidders for 2018 - It was partially because there are inherently fewer good spots to hold a Winter Games, but iirc, it was also because there was a general sentiment that Pyeongchang deserved the Games after losing bids in 2010 and 2014. That same sentiment might well give Munich the inside track for 2022.
Internally, there are two considerations: Would the IOC want to return to Canada so soon? Especially, as someone noted in the other sports thread, if there was no Western European games in between? And second, if Quebec City can solve their ski hill problem, they would no doubt have the inside track on being a Canadian representative.
But if Quebec is out and Calgary really wants it, I think it is inevitable. Our pre-existing legacy and track record, financial ability and suitability as a location would be huge benefits. Internationally, Calgary was a backwater berg in 1981 when we won the first Games. We're a teensy bit bigger now.
If not 2022, then 2026 or 2030. As per tradition, we'll probably have to lose a bid or two first.
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There are several levels of wins in this process. Cgy has bid many times for the games after 88. The first gate is to win Canada's bid - which I don't think has happened since 88. (example, the one I remember was when Salt Lake had the games, Cgy put a bid in, but we were beaten in Canada by Quebec City). I think this process is very normal, and really nothing to get excited about yet.
I may be wrong, but I don't think Calgary tried for Canada's bid in 2002 - I think the city just offered to step in if the IOC had been forced to strip the games from Salt Lake. There was definitely a bid for 2010, which we obviously lost. Trying to remember if someone poked around 2006, but drawing a blank.
i guess i am a debbie downer, but i would not be excited to see canada have to pay for another olympics so soon after vancouver.
of course the olympics would also bring increased traffic headaches, and the ever popular price gouging - of course the lords of the rings will be occupying the top floors of the sheraton......
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If I do not come back avenge my death
I was only a year old in 88, so I'd be all for this just to experience the Olympics in my hometown. A second chance hosting the Olympics would be a huge push for this city on a global scale.
Yeah, I heard G. Johnson bring that up on the Illegal Curve hockey show a little over a week ago... personally I think it's highly unlikely. Too soon after Calgary last hosted and way too soon after Canada last hosted.
As a guy who wasn't born and raised in Calgary, and has no real memories of the 88 Olympics anyways that would be amazing. It would be huge for the city to host the Winter Games again.
I think it would be awesome to see the games again. I was in high school last time and still remember sitting in a short sleeves to watch the ski jumping. High light was a fella hitting the camera boom at the end of the jump.
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Originally Posted by puckluck2
Just curious who is usually responsible for bidding on the Olympics? Seems strange that Ken King would be involved.
I think, but just a hazy memory, that the committee is "private" with support of different gov't/private sectors. I believe there are various members of the community involved.
It would make sense that a high profile resident of Calgary like KK be involved. I seem
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Captain James P. DeCOSTE, CD, 18 Sep 1993
Calgary bidding for the games makes governments more likely to chip in for a new arena. This may be the real motivation for King and the organization, the bid being secondary.
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The Winter Olympics will be coming back to Canada, we do so well at hosting it, and we are one of a few countries for which the Winter Olympics are the favoured event over the Summer Olympics.
Essentially, there are three cities in Canada that could even conceivably host the winter Olympics, Vancouver, Calgary, and Quebec City. However Quebec City is marginal, due to the ski hill situation. If we don't include Quebec City due to that, that leaves Canada with two cities. Vancouver held the last one, so next in line would be Calgary. 2022 might be a bit early, but bidding on 2022 might give us a leg up on 2026 or 2030.
As for why Ken King would get involved, we have heard rumours about the Flames wanting to build a very nice, perhaps combined Arena/Stadium. Getting an Olympics would help get government dollars to build such a facility.
It may also get government dollars to build other needed infrastructure, such as an Airport LRT link, or maybe even some of the Green line LRT. Hwy 1 would almost certainly be upgraded to the most modern standards between Calgary and Banff/Lake Louise.
Venues Reused & existing buildings (maybe some minor upgrades)
Bobsleigh/Luge/Skeleton Track at COP
Olympic Oval for Speed Skating
Canmore Nordic Centre
Nakiska (or use Lake Louise instead)
Freestyle Skiing at COP/Nakiska/Lake Louise
Saddledome for Short Track Speed Skating/Figure Skating
Winsport (?) - Secondary hockey or big enough for curling?
New Venues Required:
Ski Jumping (Some of the infrastructure is there, but would need a larger jump)
Main Hockey Arena
Stadium for Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Curling Rink (?) in 1988, this was in Max Bell I think, but I don't think that's good enough.
Convention Centre for the international Media (what was used in 1988? - I don't think it's big enough)
Olympic Village for athletes.
Last edited by You Need a Thneed; 09-12-2013 at 09:09 AM.
New Venues Required:
Ski Jumping (Some of the infrastructure is there, but would need a larger jump)
Main Hockey Arena
Stadium for Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Curling Rink (?) in 1988, this was in Max Bell I think, but I don't think that's good enough.
The nice thing about a new facility for curling is that it can be multi-purpose. In 1988, curling was only a demonstration sport, so the push wasn't there to build something.
The Vancouver Olympic/Parlympic Centre, where the 2010 Olympic competition took place, is now used as a community centre. There are still curling sheets there, as well as a pool and other facilities. They've also got a library. This venue would definitely be an easy build in Calgary because it can be used for a number of purposes afterward.
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Calgary bidding for the games makes governments more likely to chip in for a new arena. This may be the real motivation for King and the organization, the bid being secondary.
Right now, all signs point to this being a huge, perhaps the singular reason, for an attempted bid.
There is zero public support for a new arena at this point, and Nenshi has already pre-emptively stated there won't be money coming from him.
The only way to finance these disastrous public works for private gain projects is to get Joe "I like Olympic Hockey" on the bandwagon.
Heck no. While it would be fun to be part of, financially the olympics are a huge sore for hosting teams. They typically lose money hand over fist.
There are many legitimate reasons why a person wouldn't want to waste money on either an Olympic bid or having the Olympics games themselves but I can't think of a more boring season then traffic would be bad for 10 days.
If TurnedTheCorner describes the games as magical I can't think of a more glowing review for having them again.
As a guy who wasn't born and raised in Calgary, and has no real memories of the 88 Olympics anyways that would be amazing. It would be huge for the city to host the Winter Games again.
I must say it was spectacular. You really missed out!
In all seriousness the best part was that there was no 'minimum' skill for countries to be eligible. Will never forget Eddie the Eagle and the Jamaican bobsled team.
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I remember watching the Torch run by my house, all I had to do was get out of my house and stand on the corner. I remember trading pins with people ... I don't remember being at any events. I remember Sun Ice!
Looking at that list of Venues I posted, and considering the revenue dollars coming into Olympic cities these days. I wonder whether Calgary could pull off another financially strong games. The venue building costs would be significantly less than some of the previous Olympics. Many of the main venues are already there, and the most expensive venues to build are already being talked about, Olympics or no Olympics. There would be very little in terms of building venues that would have no use after the games.
Certainly Calgary would have a better chance of being profitable than probably any other city in the world.
I must say it was spectacular. You really missed out!
In all seriousness the best part was that there was no 'minimum' skill for countries to be eligible. Will never forget Eddie the Eagle and the Jamaican bobsled team.
I was 1 of 60,000 or so lucky ones to have watched Eddie the Eagle's 90m jump in person. It was fantastic. I was only 9, so maybe a little too young to remember all of the behind the scenes "comedy" in the lead up to the jumps.
For the most part, nearly all of the competitors looked very much the same from our vantage point. All except Eddie, very noticeably landing much shorter than anyone else.
Calgary bidding for the games makes governments more likely to chip in for a new arena. This may be the real motivation for King and the organization, the bid being secondary.
This is all part of their plan for trying to secure money for the football stadium and arena they plan on building. The whole new arena/football stadium thing hasn't exactly been a well kept secret.
Last edited by Erick Estrada; 09-12-2013 at 10:16 AM.
