It was like that in ATL when it came here.
The Chicken Littles had scared all the locals off, for one.
I can remember going to a Irish Pub to see and excellent band that had been hired to play the week for mucho $$$$ and there was no one there. Literally. I thought we had the wrong venue. The owner was tearing his hair out.
People started venturing out a little more than halfway through, IIRC.
I was living there then, even attended opening ceremonies. We were all told that traffic would be a disaster, some companies went on staggered work hour starting times: 7:00, 7:30, 8:00.
Traffic problems never materialized, nor did the hoards of tourists.
Olympics only benefit: IOC, NBC, some hotels and the improved infrastucture of the facilities.
They are usually a disaster for: Taxpayers, small businesses, local population who pay the bills but do not get the tickets to attend events.
I drove home from work one afternoon during the ATL Olympics. When I got on the interstate (I-75 N), it was almost deserted. I immediately thought Jesus had come back and I’d been left behind. Scared me to death.