Olympic committee should take the hint
Re: Majority of Calgary voters say ‘no thanks’ to 2026 Olympics, Nov. 14. Following the resounding “No” by Calgary taxpayers on the issue of hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics, it is time the International Olympic Committee and governments came to their senses about the cost of the Olympics. Cost overruns and graft for Greece and Brazil damaged their economies. In the end, their taxpayers were left holding the bag. The IOC and involved countries have to realize that in this “new world” of terrorism and extremism, the cost of security is driving the engine of the Olympics. The time has come when the IOC must pick two countries to host the Winter and Summer Olympics on a continuous basis. By doing this, the IOC can build an infrastructure of game sites, residences, media access and a security force that would be the best in the world. With all this in place, the countries involved in the Olympics would then pay the cost of upkeep of these facilities on a per-capita basis, bringing an end to local taxpayers being saddled with cost overruns, skyrocketing security bills and endless economic pain once the games have left town. I know it is hard to imagine common sense taking over from governments and the IOC, but really, this is a new reality. Rick Revelle, Glenburnie Calgary made the right choice on Games Hooray for the people of Calgary! They have said a firm “No” to the predatory steamroller that is the Olympics. The Olympics are a conspicuous and impoverishing waste of money, rife with corruption and hypocrisy. The benefit to the athletes is far outweighed by the egregious pocket-lining and wallet-stuffing of the financial beneficiaries slavering at the starting tape. The citizens of Calgary have told their representatives that they don’t want this greedy behemoth rolling through their lives, and let’s pray that other cities around the world hear this message and react accordingly. Bob Barclay, Ottawa