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To: manc
The 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles were LA's second Games (1932) and were quite profitable. They were run by Peter Ueberroth. Existing facilities were used for both housing and events, which drastically reduced capital outlays, and LA's existing freeway system enabled easy commuting to events (fears of gridlock proved groundless, as residents reworked their commuting in accommodation). Meanwhile, admissions, fangear, advertising sales, and television rights fees generated profits exceeding $200 million.

LA now has bid on the 2024 Games. All those facilities still exist, in addition to many built since: e.g., Staples Center, USC's Galen Center, CSULB's Pyramid, rail-commuting lines, etc.

If LA is awarded those Games and performs similarly, the impetus might grow for LA staging them either permanently or every-other Olympics.

23 posted on 12/01/2016 5:05:19 PM PST by Hebrews 11:6 (Do you REALLY believe that (1) God IS, and (2) God IS GOOD?)
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To: Hebrews 11:6

>> LA’s existing freeway system enabled easy commuting to events (fears of gridlock proved groundless, as residents reworked their commuting in accommodation). <<

“One of the most legendary tales of the 1984 Olympics was that people were so afraid of getting trapped in one of LA’s famous traffic jams that everyone stayed home or left town, allowing athletes and spectators to zip around town on empty roads.” http://gizmodo.com/give-the-olympics-to-los-angeles-1720530089

They refer to this as a “tale,” but i was living and working as an advertising sales rep in LA and Orange Counties in 1984. I can tell you that is was no “tale.” Area residents did stay home. Many businesses initiated telecommuting during that time. Event ticket sales did not meet projections because tourists were afraid of both transportation issues and scared off by news reports about the lack of hotel vacancies and exorbitant costs. After the fact, Ueberroth was hailed as a hero for actually showing a profit on the games itself, but the owners of hotels, motels, car rentals, eateries and so one saw only decreased profitability during the Olympics. Even the tourism they normally enjoyed for venues like Disneyland were depressed. The only people who benefit from the Olympic Games is the OIC. I wouldn’t welcome the Olympics to any city where I live.


27 posted on 12/01/2016 6:19:26 PM PST by torqemada (Free at last! Free at last! Good God Almighty, we're free at last!)
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