Impact of Olympic exposure on Vancouver

[raggedy13]

I have a feeling there may have been a similar thread on this topic awhile back (though I don't see one around anywhere), but seeing as the Olympics are almost upon us I felt like it would be as good a time as any to revisit this particular topic of discussion. So, what sort of impact do you think Olympic exposure will have on Vancouver? I'm not referring to what the Olympics have already done for us, such as accelerated the construction of a number of key infrastructure projects etc., but rather what the potential consequences could be of essentially marketing the city to billions of people around the world nonstop for two weeks plus. Here are a few questions to help generate discussion:

What could be the long- vs. short-term impacts?

Will it increase tourism?

Could it increase immigration (domestic or international)?

Could it lead to greater foreign investment in the city (residential real estate, commercial development, etc)?

Could it lead to Vancouver being more relevant on the world stage (strengthen its "brand", make it more relevant in pop culture, etc)?

Could it lead to Vancouver being more relevant on the national stage?

Will it help educate the rest of the world about Canada? Help to rebrand Canada's international image?

Will the current state of the global economy reduce any potential positive benefits? Conversely will the Olympics help Vancouver lead the country in economic recovery?

Will the impact on Vancouver be similar to past hosts or is Vancouver an exceptional case?

In 10 to 20 years will we look back at the Olympics the same way we look back at Expo now... as a hugely transformative event in the city's history? As a major milestone in its maturation?

I could go on, but lets start with those...