The Olympics may seem like a spectacular event, but truly, they negatively impact society. The Olympics wreck the economy, cause homelessness, and lower funding by the governments for other aspects of society. These games do more harm than good, and should be abolished.
Throughout the history of the games, the economy of the hosting city is greatly diminished when they are complete. Many cities overspend and ignore whether they are benefitting or not. For instance, the Olympics held in Lake Placid ended up costing over 729% more than the estimated value. Similar results occurred in Sochi, Russia, they spent over 228% of their estimation. “Spending lavishly on a short-lived event is, economically speaking, a dubious long-term strategy” (NY Times 1). The Olympics are fun to watch, but when they are over, nobody pays attention to the abandoned stadiums. All of the money that went into the Games, ends up wasted, all for merely a sporting event.
The abandoned stadiums represent the lost homes of many citizens. When the Games were held in China, their government arrogantly built the stadiums on the land home to 1.5 million of its low-class citizens. Many other cities violate their poor people’s natural rights. “In the weeks leading up to the Games, there have been reports of massive sweeps of homeless people into shelters – many of which are considered unsafe options by the homeless population” (The Marginalized 1). After the games in Vancouver, these helpless people watched hundreds of tons of food leftover get thrown away, wasted. The Olympics ruin the lives of large concentrations of people.
Many people are un-aware of the flaws in the Olympic bidding process. Citizens should be informed of the problems. Countries spend un-realistic amounts of money to host the Olympics, taking away funds for other issues. These issues escalate, and are typically not addressed for two or more years (until bidding ends). Also, the land proposed in the bid is off-limits by law. That means that land that may have been a home, or provided jobs, ends up off-limits even though it is not utilized. Lastly, if or when the bidding fails, the money is un-doubtfully wasted and the next opportunity does not occur for another 12 years. These risks are too severe and the problems cannot be effectively solved, unless the Games are removed.
The Games are an easy to avoid dilemma, and there are more problems than benefits. The Olympics pose a problem for economies, poor citizens, and funding. The Olympic games are definitely not a good investment for the good of the people.
Throughout the history of the games, the economy of the hosting city is greatly diminished when they are complete. Many cities overspend and ignore whether they are benefitting or not. For instance, the Olympics held in Lake Placid ended up costing over 729% more than the estimated value. Similar results occurred in Sochi, Russia, they spent over 228% of their estimation. “Spending lavishly on a short-lived event is, economically speaking, a dubious long-term strategy” (NY Times 1). The Olympics are fun to watch, but when they are over, nobody pays attention to the abandoned stadiums. All of the money that went into the Games, ends up wasted, all for merely a sporting event.
The abandoned stadiums represent the lost homes of many citizens. When the Games were held in China, their government arrogantly built the stadiums on the land home to 1.5 million of its low-class citizens. Many other cities violate their poor people’s natural rights. “In the weeks leading up to the Games, there have been reports of massive sweeps of homeless people into shelters – many of which are considered unsafe options by the homeless population” (The Marginalized 1). After the games in Vancouver, these helpless people watched hundreds of tons of food leftover get thrown away, wasted. The Olympics ruin the lives of large concentrations of people.
Many people are un-aware of the flaws in the Olympic bidding process. Citizens should be informed of the problems. Countries spend un-realistic amounts of money to host the Olympics, taking away funds for other issues. These issues escalate, and are typically not addressed for two or more years (until bidding ends). Also, the land proposed in the bid is off-limits by law. That means that land that may have been a home, or provided jobs, ends up off-limits even though it is not utilized. Lastly, if or when the bidding fails, the money is un-doubtfully wasted and the next opportunity does not occur for another 12 years. These risks are too severe and the problems cannot be effectively solved, unless the Games are removed.
The Games are an easy to avoid dilemma, and there are more problems than benefits. The Olympics pose a problem for economies, poor citizens, and funding. The Olympic games are definitely not a good investment for the good of the people.