According to this CityPages article, Minneapolis Mayor Rybak has discussed a possible ‘long-shot’ bid for the 2024 Olympics to be hosted in Minneapolis’ ‘world-class’ facilities. While the financial burden just to be considered is high, the benefits could be huge.
From the article:
“We ought to be a logical place for Super Bowls, Conventions, even Olympics,” Rybak told KSTP’s Jay Kolls. “We have world-class facilities, and we ought to use them.”
[...]
Even the bidding process poses a steep financial burden, Rybak acknowledged. In 2009, Chicago spent an estimated $100 million just to make the shortlist for 2016, but lost out to Rio de Janiero.
While Minneapolis may have fine facilities, getting the city ready to host an Olympics would be a huge burden on top of the other financial obligations the city already has due to sporting venues. Minneapolis would really need to beef up its sports and hospitality infrastructure enough to support such a bold venture and it may be time to tell Mayor Rybak, “enough!”
What do you think about this one? Could Minneapolis be ready to bid in 2015 and host in 2024? Is this something the city should even consider knowing that it could cost $100 million just to bid and they could still very well lose out to many other American cities, let alone foreign? Have those in Hennepin County and the surrounding areas spent enough on sports infrastructure already? Will these investments truly benefit those living here? Whatever you have to say about this one go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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February 7th, 2013 at 8:57 am
Lol. There is no way. We shouldn’t even try. Rybak needs to be stopped.
February 7th, 2013 at 9:22 am
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/mayor/priorities/index.htm
Like I tell my kids, you need to have priorities. First you need to do what needs to be done, then you can play.
February 7th, 2013 at 10:37 am
We might have a shot if we supply decent prostitutes to the national and international selection committees.
I think our prostitutes can compete with the best of them!
February 7th, 2013 at 11:12 am
There can’t be many cities that are in a financial position to be bidding for Olympics games. It’s an enormous cost commitment with very little confidence that you’ll see a return.
And even if you get the Olympic Games, your chances of actually turning a profit are highly debated. Much of the benefit is relatively intangible – things like worldwide exposure that’s purported to increase tourism and perhaps business via that international recognition. But that’s very, very difficult to measure. The costs, however, are not difficult to measure at all, and they fall squarely on the taxpayers.
This article from CNNMoney last year provides some really good analysis.
This quote says it all for me:
Montreal just finished paying off the debt for their Olympic Games in 2006. Montreal hosted the Olympics in 1976. Yes, that’s 30 years of debt payoff.
Ouch.
To be sure, some countries like China use it as an advertisement to the world and don’t intend to actually make a profit. That’s fine, but it’s not something Minneapolis needs.
Additionally, that article does cite the example of Los Angeles in 1984 as a city that was able to turn a profit. However, no one else bid for the Olympics (in large part due to the failure of Montreal), so they were able to get favorable terms with the IOC and they already had the infrastructure in place, thus removing the most significant cost associated with hosting.
And with that, the article presents this:
Minneapolis definitely doesn’t need to be hosting any parties.
February 7th, 2013 at 11:38 am
How is the tourism in Lake Placid doing?
(It’s in New York)
February 7th, 2013 at 11:49 am
I’ve been there twice and only knew of it through the Olympics. As a Minnesotan, it was pretty cool to see the place where the Miracle on Ice happened.
That said, I don’t think I actually spent any money there, though I do remember my parents paying for us to go up the ski lift to get a view of the fall colors from on top of one of the runs.
February 7th, 2013 at 2:36 pm
All I know is that I’m thoroughly shocked that Burnsville hasn’t tried this yet.
February 7th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
The Blaze has a pretty nice track. Everybody could park at Skateville.
February 7th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
Well, sir, there’s nothing on earth
Like a genuine,Bona fide,Electrified,Six-car Monorail! …
What’d I say? Monorail!
What’s it called? Monorail!
That’s right! Monorail!
I hear those things are awfully loud…
It glides as softly as a cloud.
Is there a chance the track could bend?
Not on your life, my Hindu friend.
What about us brain-dead slobs?
You’ll all be given cushy jobs.
Reading the post, had me humming this song in my head. I almost have to wonder if some other half baked city decided to go for the Olympics and talked Minneapolis into considering it so they could play the pick us, we’re way better than them card.
Alternatively, perhaps they feel they need to get a shot at the Olympics before it becomes too warm to have the Olympics in central Minnesota?
February 7th, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Yeah…no. It doesn’t provide all that much benefit relative to the massive cost. It’s pretty much just pure prestige. I mean, sure, we could probably do it better than Tulsa, and it might be nice to get some of the infrastructure improvements, but it’s not worth what’s necessary to do it. If Chicago couldn’t get it, I’m not sure how we could anyway.
It will probably be a U.S. city since the IOC wanted, but didn’t get, a bid from the U.S. for 2020 and thus I think they’re going to want to have it here again. But In don’t think it should be Minneapolis.
February 8th, 2013 at 7:15 am
Why not, we haven’t said no to anything in my lifetime.