[AntiGuv]

Huh?? No. The Atlanta Olympics were the first to return a pure profit, as a matter of fact - just not as big as originally hoped for and predicted.

The Sydney Olympics pulled a much larger profit (I think about $50 million) and the Athens Olympics are definitely expected to record a profit (due to proximity to Europe).

In cases before the Atlanta Olympics, they never made a profit (in terms of direct revenues vs expenditures) but the locale had a huge influx of infrastructure development and other funds (which is what I meant).

I'm a bit of an Olympics history buff, BTW.

[NittanyLion]

I can hardly wait for the Olympics. We're going to see the two (arguably) greatest swimmers in history compete in the same pool. Michael Phelps may be better than Mark Spitz ever was. Ian Thorpe isn't too shabby either.

[Spruce]

I was thinking more about what a pain-in-the-butt hosting the games would be. Don't get me wrong, I love the games.

A huge component of sports is tradition. Playing the games in the same place is a brilliant idea.

[Bob J]

The Atlanta Olympics were the first to return a pure profit...

I thought that was the LA Olympics?