The Olympic Games, page-8

''The only people who can afford to be at these games are the wealthy, politicians and those being corruptly influenced by big companies.''

the games are NOT designed for visitors - they are designed for TV
politicians and hangers on are merely there as it's the viz

''It is a disgusting, flagrant squandering of government money.''

much of the money comes from the Olympic organisation - which is paid for by television rights

it is, however, very unusual for a city or country to benefit greatly economically from such games.

In Paris, for traders and business in general - the telly is full of pain. Museum attendances are shattered, hotels that geared up for record business at ultra high prices - dismal levels of bookings. Other businesses so slow that some have closed for the duration - 'closed' others have cut back to low staff levels and sent other staff on vacation or just not called people in - it is a common story - a story that I learned way way way back in Brisbane in Commonwealth games.

There is the odd place that has a real and solid legacy - Barcelona, I don't know what the cost was, nor do I know if traders suffered as usual, they probably did - but, the city changed and with changes that will go on for decades - maybe centuries in the positive - but, those stories are rare.

IMO, cities are crazy to want games - IMO, they are for the ego of politicians.