Wearing Out One’s Welcome

Cities around the world areĀ turning down the opportunity to host the summer Olympics. They have good reason to do so. The games are over budget, hugely expensive and they leave cities with purpose-built venues they cannot use in the future. For the short duration of the event, the expenditures are a colossal waste. The International Olympic Committee has worn out its welcome globally. What is needed is a succession of the games in which the programs break even or even make a little money. The prestige of the Olympics might return and cities start competing for them again. The IOC needs to exercise stern budget control and if the magic of the games slips a bit, so be it.