The IAAF Thread

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

Originally posted by Tron_fdc+Feb 1 2005, 09:34 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Tron_fdc @ Feb 1 2005, 09:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> 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,

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.

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


<!--QuoteBegin-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. [/b][/quote]
You would take the winter olympics over IAAF...good for you.

1) I would take an event that's more much more popular internationally. That's my opinion, and no matter how many assnine comments you continue to make, that won't change a thing.

2)Show you the figures of France? Someone posted a link...one page 1. Check it out.

3) You're not using my reasoning. You're using analogies that aren't relevant for this case, because the events are nowhere near the calibre of the World's.

4) Nascar and Poker are more popular than the SCF, but none of the 3 are really popular outside North America. The World's are popular in basically every continent. Huge difference....your analogies are stupid.

5) ..Don't tell me with a straight face that people In Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal, or Toronto would rather host the Grey Cup than the Superbowl.

6) Yes, I could name the last 4 IAAF events before today. I'm not disputing the Winter Olympics are more popular in Canada - they're just way less popular compared the World's internationally. I'd rather host the latter event, which draws members from the Royal family, and thousands of international tourists.

7) It should be edited to the biggest international event in Alberta. It's still the 3rd largest in the world though.

To the other poster:

As far as facilities and legacies go, people still remember Edmonton hosted the 1971 Commonwealth games. Because of these games, Edmonton is the Track and Field Capital of Canada. These games lead us to build, and spend 50 million in renovations for Commonwealth stadium. Edmonton is also the annual host of the Canadian Track and Field Championships. We get the men's Olympic and World Cup qualifying games at Commonwealth because of these games. We've hosted the Women's Junior Soccer World Cup, and will host the Men's in 2007. To say a legacy wasn't created is ridiculous.

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

Originally posted by calf+Feb 1 2005, 09:34 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (calf @ Feb 1 2005, 09:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

In these days, any information is available on the internet.

I'm not going to go out of my way to help prove your argument. If your claims are as true as you make them seem, find some proof.

I'm in my fourth year in Accounting at U of C. Fortunately I got recruiting out of the way when I did my co-op term last year. But I have plenty of friends/aquantences that went through the process this past October and pretty much every single one a) got a job, b) had several to choose from. And this is just U of C - lord knows how many are coming here from Saskatchewan, U of A, or anywhere else. I'm sure you're quite the competent individual, but don't let your petty hatred of Calgary get in the way of your future. [/b][/quote]
I know many accounting grads of 2004 at the U of A, and they all got jobs in Edmonton.

Still haven't found any proof to back up your claim, huh?

[calf]

I was backing up IHH's claim with anecdotal evidence...not that he needs help, but just getting involved cuz it's fun - anyways, I'll invite you to come down here, I'll show you around Haskayne and we'll talk to a bunch of my friends & fellow students and we'll discover just how amazing the opportunities are here. Or you can take my word for it. Or you can claim that since such numbers don't get published that what we're saying must be complete and utter bullsh*t. Your choice.

But seriously, cut the getting defensive over everything Edmonton bs. While IHH's numbers for Edmonton can very well be on the low side, and that while there still are opportunities in Edmonton, I would bet that the opportunities are FAR greater in Calgary for the reasons IHH set out earlier.

[TheCommodoreAfro]

Sundeep,

Perhaps you should get out of the eden of Edmonton and explore the world a bit.

What is the glory the IAAF track meet brought Edmonton? Can you answer that other than 4 quadrillion people all saw a guy run on a track for 29 seconds. Sort of like in the cartoons when Bugs is being chased by Elmer Fudd and the background repeats itself a few times over before Bugs foils the lispy hunter.
Truth be known, it is a sporting event, and although the hosts are important, they are very much secondary to the things happening inside the stadium. I asked some of the staff I work with here in Japan if they remember where the T&F champs were when the women's marathon was on last summer?

Most of them replied "she won, didn't she". And then answered "Athens".

(Mind you, I work with artsy types but I know a few of them like their sports. Notice how they mentioned Athens, though, as even theatre folk watch the Olympics.)

Anyway, the "what is significant" of this is that the Olympics brands cities in a way the IAAF T&F championships doesn't. They're both big events. The Olympics leaves greater glory. Remind yourself this whenever Canada wins a medal in Turin that without 88, it might not have happened. If Edmonton managed to turn their track meet into summer medals, I'd change my mind but there is no legacy there other than what you dream up. And Calgary is now more recognizable in 70 countries around the world. Pretty good PR if you can get it.

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

Originally posted by TheCommodoreAfro@Feb 1 2005, 11:40 PM
Sundeep,

Perhaps you should get out of the eden of Edmonton and explore the world a bit.

What is the glory the IAAF track meet brought Edmonton? Can you answer that other than 4 quadrillion people all saw a guy run on a track for 29 seconds. Sort of like in the cartoons when Bugs is being chased by Elmer Fudd and the background repeats itself a few times over before Bugs foils the lispy hunter.
Truth be known, it is a sporting event, and although the hosts are important, they are very much secondary to the things happening inside the stadium. I asked some of the staff I work with here in Japan if they remember where the T&F champs were when the women's marathon was on last summer?

Most of them replied "she won, didn't she". And then answered "Athens".

(Mind you, I work with artsy types but I know a few of them like their sports. Notice how they mentioned Athens, though, as even theatre folk watch the Olympics.)

Anyway, the "what is significant" of this is that the Olympics brands cities in a way the IAAF T&F championships doesn't. They're both big events. The Olympics leaves greater glory. Remind yourself this whenever Canada wins a medal in Turin that without 88, it might not have happened. If Edmonton managed to turn their track meet into summer medals, I'd change my mind but there is no legacy there other than what you dream up. And Calgary is now more recognizable in 70 countries around the world. Pretty good PR if you can get it.

Maybe YOU should explore the world a bit more...

People in South America, Africa, Austrailia, Most of Europe, and some parts of Asia are much more likely to remember the last hosts of the IAAF than the Winter Olympics. I've been to India many times, and have asked cousins if they watched the Winter Olympics. Their response? It's not even on tv. Asked about the summer Olympics? Those games get continous coverage.

Summer Olympics create legacy around the world.

Winter Olympics create a legacy mostly only in the country, and small parts of the world.

Point is, while the Winter Olympics might leave a greater legacy in Canada, the IAAF or the Summer Olympics will leave a greater legacy internationally.

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

Originally posted by calf@Feb 1 2005, 10:46 PM
I was backing up IHH's claim with anecdotal evidence...not that he needs help, but just getting involved cuz it's fun - anyways, I'll invite you to come down here, I'll show you around Haskayne and we'll talk to a bunch of my friends & fellow students and we'll discover just how amazing the opportunities are here. Or you can take my word for it. Or you can claim that since such numbers don't get published that what we're saying must be complete and utter bullsh*t. Your choice.

But seriously, cut the getting defensive over everything Edmonton bs. While IHH's numbers for Edmonton can very well be on the low side, and that while there still are opportunities in Edmonton, I would bet that the opportunities are FAR greater in Calgary for the reasons IHH set out earlier.

I don't deny there are more accounting opportunites in cowtown, but those numbers seem to be way off base.

In any event, it was stupid on your part to do find out my personal information. Why would you want it anyways?

[TheCommodoreAfro]

Originally posted by Sundeep Malhi+Feb 2 2005, 05:08 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Sundeep Malhi @ Feb 2 2005, 05:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-TheCommodoreAfro@Feb 1 2005, 11:40 PM
Sundeep,

Perhaps you should get out of the eden of Edmonton and explore the world a bit.

What is the glory the IAAF track meet brought Edmonton? Can you answer that other than 4 quadrillion people all saw a guy run on a track for 29 seconds. Sort of like in the cartoons when Bugs is being chased by Elmer Fudd and the background repeats itself a few times over before Bugs foils the lispy hunter.
Truth be known, it is a sporting event, and although the hosts are important, they are very much secondary to the things happening inside the stadium. I asked some of the staff I work with here in Japan if they remember where the T&F champs were when the women's marathon was on last summer?

Most of them replied "she won, didn't she". And then answered "Athens".

(Mind you, I work with artsy types but I know a few of them like their sports. Notice how they mentioned Athens, though, as even theatre folk watch the Olympics.)

Anyway, the "what is significant" of this is that the Olympics brands cities in a way the IAAF T&F championships doesn't. They're both big events. The Olympics leaves greater glory. Remind yourself this whenever Canada wins a medal in Turin that without 88, it might not have happened. If Edmonton managed to turn their track meet into summer medals, I'd change my mind but there is no legacy there other than what you dream up. And Calgary is now more recognizable in 70 countries around the world. Pretty good PR if you can get it.

Maybe YOU should explore the world a bit more...

People in South America, Africa, Austrailia, Most of Europe, and some parts of Asia are much more likely to remember the last hosts of the IAAF than the Winter Olympics. I've been to India many times, and have asked cousins if they watched the Winter Olympics. Their response? It's not even on tv. Asked about the summer Olympics? Those games get continous coverage.

Summer Olympics create legacy around the world.

Winter Olympics create a legacy mostly only in the country, and small parts of the world.

Point is, while the Winter Olympics might leave a greater legacy in Canada, the IAAF or the Summer Olympics will leave a greater legacy internationally. [/b][/quote]
OK. Maybe I will explore the world - but that's left for another thread...

You don't get it. So I won't bother. I was talking about the OLYMPICS being a brand that brings prestige, where as the IAAF meet is about the athletes, and very rarely about the flavour of the host venue.

Congrats - I didn't expect India to have a big winter Olympic following. So that's like asking someone in Zimbabwe if they've seen the Winter Olys. When I went to Finland last May with work, EVERYONE knew about them though.

Selective sampling is wicked to prove a point.

[calf]

Originally posted by Sundeep Malhi@Feb 2 2005, 01:10 AM
I don't deny there are more accounting opportunites in cowtown, but those numbers seem to be way off base.

In any event, it was stupid on your part to do find out my personal information. Why would you want it anyways?

1) well they aren't.

2) That wasn't me

[Tron_fdc]

You would take the winter olympics over IAAF...good for you.

1) I would take an event that's more much more popular internationally. That's my opinion, and no matter how many assnine comments you continue to make, that won't change a thing.

2)Show you the figures of France? Someone posted a link...one page 1. Check it out.

3) You're not using my reasoning. You're using analogies that aren't relevant for this case, because the events are nowhere near the calibre of the World's.

4) Nascar and Poker are more popular than the SCF, but none of the 3 are really popular outside North America. The World's are popular in basically every continent. Huge difference....your analogies are stupid.

5) ..Don't tell me with a straight face that people In Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal, or Toronto would rather host the Grey Cup than the Superbowl.

6) Yes, I could name the last 4 IAAF events before today. I'm not disputing the Winter Olympics are more popular in Canada - they're just way less popular compared the World's internationally. I'd rather host the latter event, which draws members from the Royal family, and thousands of international tourists.

1) My comments are no less "assinine" than yours. I'm making a valid point, and now you're name calling. Who's the ass?

2) Show me the ACTUAL figures of TV ratings. The same thing I've asked continually, so stop trying to dodge it.

3)I am using your reasoning, as you openly stated

No I'm not nuts. I would take an event that has DOUBLE the popularity.

4) ^^^^ again, I'm only using your own arguments.....

5) You're probably right. I don't watch football so I couldn't care either way. However, you can't tell me with a straight face any City in Canada would prefer a track meet over Winter Olympics, which was another of my original quaestions you are trying to avoid.

6) I have agreed that they are higher in popularity. I just think you're out to lunch on your second point, as anyone I know would rather take the Olympics.

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

Originally posted by TheCommodoreAfro+Feb 2 2005, 03:45 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (TheCommodoreAfro @ Feb 2 2005, 03:45 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Maybe YOU should explore the world a bit more...

People in South America, Africa, Austrailia, Most of Europe, and some parts of Asia are much more likely to remember the last hosts of the IAAF than the Winter Olympics. I've been to India many times, and have asked cousins if they watched the Winter Olympics. Their response? It's not even on tv. Asked about the summer Olympics? Those games get continous coverage.

Summer Olympics create legacy around the world.

Winter Olympics create a legacy mostly only in the country, and small parts of the world.

Point is, while the Winter Olympics might leave a greater legacy in Canada, the IAAF or the Summer Olympics will leave a greater legacy internationally.

OK. Maybe I will explore the world - but that's left for another thread...

You don't get it. So I won't bother. I was talking about the OLYMPICS being a brand that brings prestige, where as the IAAF meet is about the athletes, and very rarely about the flavour of the host venue.

Congrats - I didn't expect India to have a big winter Olympic following. So that's like asking someone in Zimbabwe if they've seen the Winter Olys. When I went to Finland last May with work, EVERYONE knew about them though.

Selective sampling is wicked to prove a point. [/b][/quote]
India and China basically ignore the Winter Olympics.....there goes 33% of the World's population.

I already mentioned some countries in Northern Europe follow the Winter Olympics...but the point is, not much of the world follows it.

Summer Olympics bring in a lot more prestige to the host city.

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

Originally posted by Tron_fdc@Feb 2 2005, 09:08 AM

1) My comments are no less "assinine" than yours. I'm making a valid point, and now you're name calling. Who's the ass?

2) Show me the ACTUAL figures of TV ratings. The same thing I've asked continually, so stop trying to dodge it.

3)I am using your reasoning, as you openly stated

4) ^^^^ again, I'm only using your own arguments.....

5) You're probably right. I don't watch football so I couldn't care either way. However, you can't tell me with a straight face any City in Canada would prefer a track meet over Winter Olympics, which was another of my original quaestions you are trying to avoid.

6) I have agreed that they are higher in popularity. I just think you're out to lunch on your second point, as anyone I know would rather take the Olympics.

2) I've told you over and over....there's a LINK on page one, where someone posted the TV ratings...

5) I'm not trying to avoid your question. I can't speak for anyone else, but I've given my reasons on why I would take the 3rd largest event compared to the 6th or 7th.

6) That's because you only know Calgarians and Canadians. Ask someone outside this country, and more people would take the World's.

[TheCommodoreAfro]

Originally posted by Sundeep Malhi+Feb 3 2005, 08:09 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Sundeep Malhi @ Feb 3 2005, 08:09 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

OK. Maybe I will explore the world - but that's left for another thread...

You don't get it. So I won't bother. I was talking about the OLYMPICS being a brand that brings prestige, where as the IAAF meet is about the athletes, and very rarely about the flavour of the host venue.

Congrats - I didn't expect India to have a big winter Olympic following. So that's like asking someone in Zimbabwe if they've seen the Winter Olys. When I went to Finland last May with work, EVERYONE knew about them though.

Selective sampling is wicked to prove a point.

India and China basically ignore the Winter Olympics.....there goes 33% of the World's population.

I already mentioned some countries in Northern Europe follow the Winter Olympics...but the point is, not much of the world follows it.

Summer Olympics bring in a lot more prestige to the host city. [/b][/quote]
Wow. Thanks for making mention of the Olympic brand and prestige. My point all along. Doesn't matter who knows who hosted what, though, people outside of Canada know Calgary for some mysterious reason, and much, much fewer know about Edmonton.

China has winter oly athletes (speed skating and figure skating, particularly) so it's nice to know that you are just grasping at straws by saying they "ignore" the Olympics? Any links to that, or is it just what you think?

I'm sure India couldn't care less about the winter Olympics, but I'd betya more have heard of Calgary than Edmonton for some reason. Isn't that what this is all about now, anyway?

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

Originally posted by TheCommodoreAfro+Feb 3 2005, 03:23 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (TheCommodoreAfro @ Feb 3 2005, 03:23 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

India and China basically ignore the Winter Olympics.....there goes 33% of the World's population.

I already mentioned some countries in Northern Europe follow the Winter Olympics...but the point is, not much of the world follows it.

Summer Olympics bring in a lot more prestige to the host city.

Wow. Thanks for making mention of the Olympic brand and prestige. My point all along. Doesn't matter who knows who hosted what, though, people outside of Canada know Calgary for some mysterious reason, and much, much fewer know about Edmonton.

China has winter oly athletes (speed skating and figure skating, particularly) so it's nice to know that you are just grasping at straws by saying they "ignore" the Olympics? Any links to that, or is it just what you think?

I'm sure India couldn't care less about the winter Olympics, but I'd betya more have heard of Calgary than Edmonton for some reason. Isn't that what this is all about now, anyway? [/b][/quote]
Compared to the World's, the Winter Olympics are ignored in most continents.

You're kidding yourself if you think Calgary is more known than Edmonton. Neither are major cities....outside of Canada, most people have no clue about either. That said, more people would know about Edmonton due to the World's.

[GreaseIsTheWord]

Originally posted by Sundeep Malhi@Feb 3 2005, 12:33 PM
That said, more people would know about Edmonton due to the World's.

Not to mention Gretzky & the Oilers. Now that's marketing!

And - ugh- that mall. Like it or not - everyone knows about it.

[transplant99]

You're kidding yourself if you think Calgary is more known than Edmonton. Neither are major cities....outside of Canada, most people have no clue about either

Absolutely and patently false IMO. Though I have no scientific data to back this up. (Nor do you)

I have been all over the States...and I always get asked where i am from (they say I have an accent), and when i tell them Canada, its aways followed by "what part".

When i say Western Canada/Calgary, they inevitably say one of two things...oh yes ive been there, its a beautiful city" or "i wanna go there some day, its so beautiful along with BC". (BC comes up all the time as well) The Stampede truly is world famous, and most people have heard of Calgary hosting the Olympics....its just a fact i have come across.

I have no idea what the response would be if I said Edmonton, it may be the same, less or greater. To suggest, however, that these Canadian cities are not known elsewhere is a bad leap of faith on your part, and just not true.

Now overseas? I havent the foggiest idea what the response would be...but i suggest that more people would definately of heard about Calgary than Edmonton, and not because of just the Olympics, nor just the Stampede, but along with the major player oil makes Calgary, all 3 combined make it a very well known city.

Or they could all say...yeah i know of Edmonton because they held a track and field event one year. I suppose that is possible.

[An Old Edmonton Poster]

Originally posted by transplant99@Feb 3 2005, 11:50 AM

Absolutely and patently false IMO. Though I have no scientific data to back this up. (Nor do you)

I have been all over the States...and I always get asked where i am from (they say I have an accent), and when i tell them Canada, its aways followed by "what part".

When i say Western Canada/Calgary, they inevitably say one of two things...oh yes ive been there, its a beautiful city" or "i wanna go there some day, its so beautiful along with BC". (BC comes up all the time as well) The Stampede truly is world famous, and most people have heard of Calgary hosting the Olympics....its just a fact i have come across.

I have no idea what the response would be if I said Edmonton, it may be the same, less or greater. To suggest, however, that these Canadian cities are not known elsewhere is a bad leap of faith on your part, and just not true.

Now overseas? I havent the foggiest idea what the response would be...but i suggest that more people would definately of heard about Calgary than Edmonton, and not because of just the Olympics, nor just the Stampede, but along with the major player oil makes Calgary, all 3 combined make it a very well known city.

Or they could all say...yeah i know of Edmonton because they held a track and field event one year. I suppose that is possible.

The stampede is just marketed as world famous.

If you actually believe that, you're kidding yourself. The Stampede draws only 200,000 more than the Klondike Days....

You really think people from Europe or Asia or Africa are swarming into Calgary for the Stampede? Ha!

Any tourist who comes to Alberta usually comes to Edmonton as well, to check out the mall. It's no secret that West Edmonton Mall is Alberta's number one tourist location.

...and as said, Gretzky and the Oilers dynasty really lead the World to know about Edmonton. Just look at how many aplications were submitted world-wide for the Heritage Classic.

[RougeUnderoos]

So let me get this straight -- the Winter Olympics is a nothing event and nobody but us cares about it but the Oilers and the outdoor hockey game "really let the world know about Edmonton"?

Sure thing buddy.

And I'll never understand how anybody can be proud of that ridiculous mall. It's a dump. But I haven't been in it since that river ran through it last summer so maybe that washed away some of the dead dolphin smell.

[Tron_fdc]

OK, this is going nowhere. You are pretty firmly entrenched in your opinions, and so are we. I will however comment on a few other things before I go (hockey is WAY more interesting to talk about than this).

Implying that I only know Canadians or Calgarians..... A little background on myself. I work on an international scale and (although 90% of my dealings pertain to business and not pleasure) I know and work with people all over the world. I do business overseas EVERY DAY. Other than family, do you? Are you speaking from personal experience when you talk about what people internationally "prefer" or "know" about the Olympics or tourism? Or are you making things up and using your opinions to pass off as facts?

I've travelled the globe, been to countries, cities and provinces that most people wouldn't know of unless they had a map, and I can tell you first hand that although people know about Calgary or Edmonton, no one city (other than possibly Toronto because of its size) holds any kind of esteem over another. To imply that "Edmonton is more well known" is pretty ignorant IMO. Tell you what, when I go to China and Malaysia in April, then Korea in June, and India in September, I'll make a point of asking what people know about each city in Alberta. Call it an informal Scientific poll. If I'm wrong I'll let you know and hang my head in shame.

Your claim that West Ed is the number one attraction in Alberta: I can tell you FIRST HAND from my travels in the US, Europe, Asia, Africa or Australia, the first thing out of peoples mouths when you say "Rocky Mountains" or "Alberta" is Banff, Not West Ed, not Edmonton, and not Calgary. Once again, no scientific data here (I'm using my first hand experiences), but even trying to make such a statemement is hilarious. I have yet to encounter ANYONE overseas that says "Hey, you're from Calgary? Isn't that close to that really big mall in Edmonton???" Generally speaking, Asians/Indians knew where Vancouver was, and Africans seemed to know about Toronto. Geographical proximity probably played a roll in it.

A little anecdote you might find interesting: the last time I had South African, Korean, Indian or Chinese visitors we went to our Edmonton office. Lo and behold, it was after our trip to Banff (which was requested) and strangely enough West Ed never came up, nor has it ever. For some weird reason they all wanted to see the mountains and not a shopping mall......

[GreaseIsTheWord]

Originally posted by RougeUnderoos@Feb 3 2005, 03:36 PM
So let me get this straight -- the Winter Olympics is a nothing event and nobody but us cares about it but the Oilers and the outdoor hockey game "really let the world know about Edmonton"?

Sure thing buddy.

And I'll never understand how anybody can be proud of that ridiculous mall.# It's a dump.# But I haven't been in it since that river ran through it last summer so maybe that washed away some of the dead dolphin smell.

Well - when the best hockey player ever broke countless records for the Oilers, helping them win many, many championships, then yeah, that pretty much puts us on the international scale because he was that extraordinary. To suggest otherwise is flat-out denial since Gretzky is synonymous to Oilers. The Oilers are synonymous to Edmonton. I won't deny that the Olympics was a great advertisment for Calgary, it was, and the ripple effects are still being felt.

And I never understood why the Stampede is SO much better than Klondike Days? Is it that tram that takes you across the grounds? It's the same company that delivers the rides to both places. The only difference is a rodeo, and we all know how popular rodeos are on the other side of the world, those people must have heard of it. If rodeo is your kind of thing (it definetely isn't mine) then yeah, it is better.

And no, I'm not proud of that mall, hence the UGH. I'd rather Edmonton be known for something more meaningful than a mass consumerist monument. Yes, I can say with complete confidence that that monstrosity is the #1 tourist attraction in Alberta, and probably top 3 in Canada. But we're very aware that everyones heard of Gretzky's Oilers and no ones heard of the Flames. I wonder when some goof will plaster a picture of that Liberian kid with a Flames shirt.

[Tron_fdc]

And no, I'm not proud of that mall, hence the UGH. I'd rather Edmonton be known for something more meaningful than a mass consumerist monument. Yes, I can say with complete confidence that that monstrosity is the #1 tourist attraction in Alberta, and probably top 3 in Canada.

See, I just can't believe that. Show me the figures and I'll admit I'm wrong, but I have no idea why someone would go to a mall over somewhere in the Rockies. It makes no sense to me. What does it offer that other malls don't have? Submarine rides and dolphin shows?