[mr.x]

Vancouver is an exceptional case. We're the largest city to ever host the Games, by far the largest. We're bound to absorb and embrace growth with such a large population and economy, rather than shed the growth right after the Games if we were a smaller host city (unfortunately, we may see that with Whistler). This means it'll likely lead to greater foreign investment in our city.

Tourism is a toughy. Long-term, yes. But short-term, with the recession and possible swine flu pandemic making a turnaround for the worse.

It'll certainly educate the world about Canada and rebrand Canada's image, though to a certain extent as these aren't as big as the Summer edition. But it's bound to make shockwaves in the United States and parts of Europe. We might even learn something about ourselves, by being proud of what we have accomplished in hosting the Vancouver Olympics.

Making Vancouver more relevant on the world stage? We got our own Simpsons episode! :p That answers that question.

The Games are one reason why Vancouver/BC is doing so much better than the rest of the country or even the world. I do think the Games will soften the economic impact of the recession on the city somewhat once the cauldron is extinguished. The green figure for economic growth will shrink a little, with all the Olympic and tourist expenditures ending on Feb. 28, but we'll still stay in the green.


I could make a more detailed post, but it's too late.