Pavel Bem, the ODS mayor of Prague has suggested that a national referendum should be held in the Spring to decide whether Prague competes for the 2016 Olympics. Realistically a Prague 2016 bid would be a test run for a serious attempt in 2020 or beyond and I realise that the Olympics in Prague would be a much bigger commitment relative to the country's economy, but I do think it's nice to ask the people about prestige projects such as this. We could have done with such consultation in the UK re 2012.
Historically, the cities that benefit most economically from staging an Olympics are ones that need to be put on the map - e.g. Barcelona, Sydney and Atlanta. The main contenders for 2012 - Paris, New York and London are not such cities. I think the British public should have been consulted about this diversion of resources and I don't think we will win economically from this project. On the other hand, I think that Prague has much to gain by staging an event such as this especially if out-of-town locations are well used.
Pavel Bem, the ODS mayor of Prague has suggested that a national referendum should be held in the Spring to decide whether Prague competes for the 2016 Olympics. Realistically a Prague 2016 bid would be a test run for a serious attempt in 2020 or beyond and I realise that the Olympics in Prague would be a much bigger commitment relative to the country's economy, but I do think it's nice to ask the people about prestige projects such as this. We could have done with such consultation in the UK re 2012. 
Historically, the cities that benefit most economically from staging an Olympics are ones that need to be put on the map - e.g. Barcelona, Sydney and Atlanta. The main contenders for 2012 - Paris, New York and London are not such cities. I think the British public should have been consulted about this diversion of resources and I don't think we will win economically from this project. On the other hand, I think that Prague has much to gain by staging an event such as this especially if out-of-town locations are well used.
6 comments:
Might I suggest and addendum to the referedum...
At end, add "and do you think those land owners who will gain the most out of the massive investment in infrastructure required to stage a games should predominantly pay for it through a Land Value Tax".
:)
See - I can get it in anywhere...:)
And I think that's a great idea, and Prague certainly has enough beer to go round.
Ken should talk to Sydney if he is going to make it work. I think he is too stupid to do that...
Only visited Prague once, but a fab city, the Czech Republic deserves it.
How I wish London had not wasted mountains of our money on this enterprise, and heaven knows how much more for years to come. We can look forward to jammed public transport, the whole exercise making a huge loss and precious little chance for we London types to see any events live bar underwater tiddlywinks.
Like Croydonian I almost certainly would have voted no - although I might have a different opinion if I owned property in East London.
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