When I consider Chirac's comments regarding the British (their food, etc), I have to laugh.
Personally, this whole Olympics deal is more of a nuisance. I don't question the short term prestige, but what good does it do for the city in the long term? They end up with facilities that go unused, and have to be maintained at taxpayers expense. I am not any more likely to go to Atlanta, Los Angeles, or Lake Placid than I would have been otherwise.
On a sidenote: Whatever happened to the World's Fair? When I was young, I think it was in Tennessee, but it was so long ago, I can't remember. Is it as big a deal as they made it out to be then? I never hear about it anymore.
Check this out: Expo Museum
Worked at Expo '67 in Montreal; one of the better World's Fair, at least in my opinion. In spite of higher than expected attendance at Expo '67 it was a loss financially for the city of Montreal. That has been the experience of any city hosting a World's Fair. Aside from the prestige aspect, which has diminished greatly over the years, hosting the World's Fair isn't worth the trouble and expense. Fewer cities are interested; countries and corporate entities willing to sponsor a pavilion at a World's Fair have declined ... which means they are now much smaller.
With a World's Fair like this, no wonder it's inspired the world!
.............................
Nagakute & Seto, Japan
Opening:
25 March 2005
Closing
25 September 2005
Theme:
"Nature's Wisdom"
Sub-themes:
"Nature's Matrix"
"Art of life"
"Development for Eco-Communities"
Projected attendance:
over 15 million
The World's Fairs were mostly corporate sponsored exhibitions, much like the Epcot center at Disney World. If you've seen one, you've seen them all, just updated.