Why should I pay for the Olympics?

Question

I couldn't care less whether one guy can run faster than another or throw something further than everybody else. So what?

The notion that sport "brings nations together" is rubbish. Hold a football tournament in the Middle East and see how much good feeling that generates.

As for the economic arguement, if the regeneration of the area is of such lasting benefit, why does the government wait until there's a sporting event to do it. Why not do it anyway?

Now, I have my hobbies but I don't force the general population to fund them. Nor do I force families who have lived in the same house for a 100 years to move and have their house bulldozed so I can continue with my hobby.

Answer 1

I agree with you entirely.
It should all be privatly run, without the government spending tax payers money benefiting only a few finanicially.

sometime coutries only brfeak even when the hold it.

its going to put house prices in london up again, so all those morons that think its the capital of the world will benefit.

you shouldn't pay for it and nor should i

Answer 2

I suppose that you have a point, but that would disqualify many other things in life. I agree that there isn't an economic argument, particularly when you consider that in Greece, many of their specially built facilities are going to rack and ruin. They were built especially to meet the needs of the Olympics, and not to meet the ongoing needs of the local community. I particularly agree with your point viz, "if it's worth doing, why not do it anyway"? So, it is disingenuous of them to claim that it is being done for the local community. Also, the Olympics have been politicised by the PC brigade, and now includes sports, or so called sports, that should never have been included within the Olympic programme. The old amateur ethos of the Olympics has gone, and has been replaced by money and drugs.

The only part of your question that I would take issue with, is the opening sentence/paragraph. Once you demonstrate that you have no time for athletics, people will tend to switch off and, therefore, miss the points of principle in your ensuing argument.
People will assume that you are either anti sport or, at least, anti athletics, which isn't the point you are trying to make. To be honest, I do not know how much public money is going to go into funding the Olympics. Do you?

Answer 3

If you are not interested especially as you seem not to put forward any alternatives is sad to get young people to together from different nations will make a change if only to educate in other peoples countries and traditions and if you can't See how high profile athletes encourage youngsters and their families to do something other than causing mayhem on street corners you are a fool no doubt you have never been to a young athletes meeting to see what goes on and the enthusiasm so get off your fat A*se and get out there and do something People like you are so B***dy thick it really is unbelievable

Answer 4

Sport Sport Sport
We are being conned into the `jolly hockey sticks` feel good factor.
It`s a shame that more effort is put into is not put into things that really matter in this world.

Answer 5

you obviously have no respect for the individuals who train extremely hard and for years before the Olympics to become the best in what they do.

the Olympics will boost our economy, and improve sport facilities in the area and help more people get involved in sport. This is crucial in a society where the issue of obesity is growing.

i think you need to grow up and begin to show some respect to the individuals who helped us to win the Olympics and those that are training hard to represent their country.

Answer 6

i think that only those who really want the olympics should be made to pay for it. why don't the government issue every household based in london with a voting form with the question: do you want the olympics... and tick boxes for which we can choose either yes or no? that should solve this problem and yet like yourself, my answer to that would be no also.

Answer 7

I agree, if you want the Olympics you pay for it if you dont you dont. How its solved i dont know!
Its always the public who foots the bill even when we disagree with it.

Answer 8

i am guessing you live somewhere in the area of london?

you will see some benfit, unlike us up north, who wont be able to afford the £150 train travel (per person) just to get to london.

Why isn't it more central to the country?
Then I wouldn't mind paying.....

Answer 9

you were one of those kids in school who was never good at sports, got picked last, bullied, wanted to date the jock but got rejected weren't you?

Answer 10

good ? but its sports and we pay to see sports