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[MMarston]

To be specific, how was the entire city's mood during the games? Among your family and friends? Did you watch any of the events live and in the flesh? Also, how did your city compare before the games, and how does it compare now?

Anyway, I've lived in Vancouver for almost seven years now so around the time the Winter Olympics started around February 2010, I'd only been here for about a year. Since then though, I can't remember any other time this city had matched the unity and electricity as those few weeks. Every corner of the city felt like a great party, and surprisingly, never felt like a gross shit show (unlike say the Stanley Cup finals even before the rioting). Along with people from all over the world there, it was just endless positivity.

Unfortunately, I never saw any of the events in-person as I was busy with high-school at the time. Even then though, almost every class was glued to a projection screen the teachers set up. A few people I knew were also part of the opening/closing ceremonies.

I think the joy also had to do with the fact that Canada was doing aces that time in many of the sporting events. But when we won that final gold medal game at Hockey finals? Man, that was legend.

So yeah, overall, I have fond memories of when the Olympics were here. Definitely felt like it had a more positive effect on the city afterwards in terms of infrastructure and facilities. It's too bad a number of other games throughout the years can become a shitshow too due to the usually shady IOC dealings, because it definitely can make something great when all the pieces fall in the right place.

 

[TheSecondSpitter]

I loved the fact I was given time off work to watch events.

Congestion on public transport sucked and trouble finding a decent restaurant without a booking.

 

[Violence Jack]

I lived in Atlanta during the 1996 games. Our city was excited, but many feared the increase in traffic and if the city could handle it. From what I remember (I was barely a teen at the time) it was wall to wall gridlock anywhere near the Olympic Village because our public transportation pretty much sucks. We ended up going to the Village one night before the bombing, and my family had tickets to track and field. Got to see Michael Johnson set a world record, and it was a great atmosphere.

Before the Olympics, Atlanta was quiet, relatively easy to navigate, and very laid back. But after, the city and surrounding metro area's population exploded and businesses started moving here. The city still hasn't really adapted to it 20 years later. I moved from there back in March, but Atlanta is nowhere near how it used to be before the games came to town. The city infrastructure just wasn't built to handle how many people moved there.

 

[Biske]

Was like 16, didn't really give a shit, actual tickets to stuff, never got, maybe too expensive or too late or didn't care. Made going to school some what a pain in the ass. Otherwise eh. Same old same old.

 

[Gigarator]

I recall people not giving much of a toss when the games first began in London but then once we won our first few golds the atmosphere changed completely. The next few weeks it felt like the whole country came together and had a sense of pride in itself for once, it was special and I don't see it being replicated again any time soon.

 

[Silver Arrows]

The best part about being around Vancouver in 2010 was simply walking around and taking in the sights.

 

[RBH]

I was fairly young at the time when the Olympics came to Atlanta in 1996, but I remember it being a thrill that such a major event was happening in our city. My dad got to go to the opening and closing ceremonies, and I went to a field hockey match at the time.

I was also at the Olympic Park during the night of the bombing, and our family left one hour before the bomb occurred.

The Olympics definitely served as a catalyst for a lot of the growth and development that Atlanta has experienced from then until now.

 

[Fluvian]

London 2012, my entire high school was promised tickets to events and instead of that we were sent three tickets for rowing, I didn't go to any of the games which I thought I would regret but I don't. In hindsight the games were a massive waste of time and money and the games haven't had any noticeable lasting changes on London. Maybe other Londoners will tell you different but I find the Olympics to be nothing more than a world wide wanking match at the tax payers expense.

 

[Fluvian]

I recall people not giving much of a toss when the games first began in London but then once we won our first few golds the atmosphere changed completely. The next few weeks it felt like the whole country came together and had a sense of pride in itself for once, it was special and I don't see it being replicated again any time soon.

Yeah that really weirded me out at the time "fucking goverment spending my taxes on this bullsh-HEY A SHINY GOLD MEDAL! GO GREAT BRITAIN!"

 

[MCN]

London 2012, my entire high school was promised tickets to events and instead of that we were sent three tickets for rowing, I didn't go to any of the games which I thought I would regret but I don't. In hindsight the games were a massive waste of time and money and the games haven't had any noticeable lasting changes on London. Maybe other Londoners will tell you different but I find the Olympics to be nothing more than a world wide wanking match at the tax payers expense.

At least West Ham got a new stadium out of it. I should open a pub there.

 

[Fluvian]

At least West Ham got a new stadium out of it. I should open a pub there.

Well if you do let me know...... I'm unemployed

 

[gutter_trash]

I was 1 year old so I don't remember any of it, all I know are the left overs LOL

our city only got to pay for it nearly 40 years later

 

[niccoolnic]

I've lived in Salt Lake City my whole life. The 2002 Olympics changed so much in the state. Before the Olympics, in Utah you were required to have a membership in order to go to a bar. Any bar. They decided to temporarily remove this restriction, as well as removing the open container laws, and I've never seen so much drinking in Utah. After the games they decided to completely remove the membership law. They also added buildings at the University for the athletes to stay in that later became dorm rooms for students. I watched a lot of the events in person, especially considering I didnt think they would ever want to host the games here again. I really hope they come back for another winter games here, as we prepared really well and I think the consensus was very good.

 

[Fluvian]

I've lived in Salt Lake City my whole life. The 2002 Olympics changed so much in the state. Before the Olympics, in Utah you were required to have a membership in order to go to a bar. Any bar. They decided to temporarily remove this restriction, as well as removing the open container laws, and I've never seen so much drinking in Utah. After the games they decided to completely remove the membership law. They also added buildings at the University for the athletes to stay in that later became dorm rooms for students. I watched a lot of the events in person, especially considering I didnt think they would ever want to host the games here again. I really hope they come back for another winter games here, as we prepared really well and I think the consensus was very good.

I have to ask because it's Salt lake, what did the Mormons think of the games?

 

[Warm Machine]

Yeah the Vancouver Winter Olympics were ace. Loved living here while they were going on and we got some much needed facilities as a result.

 

[RK9039]

London 2012, things were pretty good. Some Europeans, a bloke and two ladies, come up to my bro asking for weed which was very funny. I didn't realise he looked like a dealer.

 

[Silver Arrows]

Yeah the Vancouver Winter Olympics were ace. Loved living here while they were going on and we got some much needed facilities as a result.

I was about to add that into my post. The Sea-To-Sky Highway needed the repairs and upgrades, so did BC Place. The Convention Centre is a good plus too, it makes the Auto Show here much better then having it at BC Place.

 

[Fluvian]

London 2012, things were pretty good. Some Europeans, a bloke and two ladies, come up to my bro asking for weed which was very funny. I didn't realise he looked like a dealer.

Mate that's every saturday night for me, Polish kids come up to me (I'm so blatantly a stoner so I'm a magnet for kids trying to get their first score) and in a roundabout way try to ask if I can get them weed. The answer is always "no go ask around in Northfields" Northfields is a safe area with very few drug dealers.

 

[IvanJ]

I lived in Atlanta in 1996, but I really wasn't that interested in Olympics, and I am not interested now either.
I remember being pissed of because Sex Pistols reunion tour had to be moved to Memphis because of the lack of venues. So I drove there, and boy, that was among three worst shows I've ever been to. Cash grab wall to wall. At least 3-11 were OK as an opening band.

I remember there being a lot of people, lots of traffic, people charging $20 to let you park in their yard. But I spent my days in Little Five Points, acting like nothing special is going on.
I really don't see the appeal of Olympics, basically people tune in to see the sports they wouldn't watch if you paid them good money the other 3 years and 11 months in between.

 

[niccoolnic]

I have to ask because it's Salt lake, what did the Mormons think of the games?

The Mormon politicians were unhappy to have to allow all of the halting of the overly strict laws, however the amount of money the state made off of alcohol sales was so great that they got over it fairly quickly. I think they really enjoyed the games overall, and most of the complaints were very minor.

 

[RK9039]

Mate that's every saturday night for me, Polish kids come up to me (I'm so blatantly a stoner so I'm a magnet for kids trying to get their first score) and in a roundabout way try to ask if I can get them weed. The answer is always "no go ask around in Northfields" Northfields is a safe area with very few drug dealers.

Lol. I'm not sure how your even supposed to give directions to people like that, I guess you have to make shit up. Then again I usually do that when people ask for directions anyway.

 

[Fluvian]

The Mormon politicians were unhappy to have to allow all of the halting of the overly strict laws, however the amount of money the state made off of alcohol sales was so great that they got over it fairly quickly. I think they really enjoyed the games overall, and most of the complaints were very minor.

Yeah that sounds like a very Mormon thing to do

 

[dc3k]

But when we won that final gold medal game at Hockey finals? Man, that was legend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ns63s9i3k

 

[Fluvian]

Lol. I'm not sure how your even supposed to give directions to people like that, I guess you have to make shit up. Then again I usually do that when people ask for directions anyway.

I used to do that, boy do I regret it though, i just think about all the poor chavy families who were taking their kids to a leisure centre but couldn't be bothered to find out where it was so they asked me. One time I sent this poor guy into a really rough estate, feel bad about it now and only give good directions these days.

 

[WaterAstro]

I wonder how many Olympics was actually contributed to the city for long term effect. I think Vancouver had it well for some parts, but there are exceptions like the Speed Skating rink arena and the leaky Olympic Village.

 

[lupinko]

I was about to add that into my post. The Sea-To-Sky Highway needed the repairs and upgrades, so did BC Place. The Convention Centre is a good plus too, it makes the Auto Show here much better then having it at BC Place.

Don't forget the Richmond Oval and most important of all, the Canada Line Skytrain. That would have never been built (in a timely fashion or if ever due to bureaucracy) if it had not been for the Olympics.

 

[Silver Arrows]

Don't forget the Richmond Oval and most important of all, the Canada Line Skytrain. That would have never been built (in a timely fashion or if ever due to bureaucracy) if it had not been for the Olympics.

Exactly.

 

[CornBurrito]

I lived in Atlanta during the 1996 games. Our city was excited, but many feared the increase in traffic and if the city could handle it. From what I remember (I was barely a teen at the time) it was wall to wall gridlock anywhere near the Olympic Village because our public transportation pretty much sucks. We ended up going to the Village one night before the bombing, and my family had tickets to track and field. Got to see Michael Johnson set a world record, and it was a great atmosphere.

Before the Olympics, Atlanta was quiet, relatively easy to navigate, and very laid back. But after, the city and surrounding metro area's population exploded and businesses started moving here. The city still hasn't really adapted to it 20 years later. I moved from there back in March, but Atlanta is nowhere near how it used to be before the games came to town. The city infrastructure just wasn't built to handle how many people moved there.

I went to school in Atlanta from 2010-2014, and holy fuck you aren't kidding. Still horrendous public transport. Horrible, congested, shitty roads.

 

[Zemm]

I recall people not giving much of a toss when the games first began in London but then once we won our first few golds the atmosphere changed completely. The next few weeks it felt like the whole country came together and had a sense of pride in itself for once, it was special and I don't see it being replicated again any time soon.

Euro 96 and the Olympics were special times for this country. It's why I really want a world cup and why I find it super depressing when countries like Russia and Qatar get given them through corruption.

 

[WaterAstro]

Just looking up stuff and found this bit from the wiki amusing:

The full cost of the Nagano Olympics is unknown, due to Nagano Olympic Bid Committee vice-secretary general Sumikazu Yamaguchi ordering accounting documents burned

lololol

 

[Biske]

I have to ask because it's Salt lake, what did the Mormons think of the games?

Seeing as a majority of the people here are mormons and that Mitt Romney was the President and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics was mormon... the olympics here were kind of hugely a mormon thing as well.

 

[MMarston]

Just looking up stuff and found this bit from the wiki amusing:



lololol

Haha pulled an Alfred Pennyworth on em

 

[sikkinixx]

Echoing a bunch here about Vancouver, it was a good time. The highway to Whistler being redone was nice although for real... that should be a toll highway because rich Americans and Asians going there can afford a fucking toll. Getting the skytrain line was ace as well, though it's a pain in the ass to get to Richmond unless you live right downtown as you need to travel all the way to Waterfront, hop trains then head south.

Atmosphere was really great, my folks said it was a slightly lesser version of Expo '86 (where my uncle always told me he drank a lot and slept with ladies from all over the world). And like OP said... winning that hockey gold medal, especially against the fucking Americans was.... just sogood.gif. For reals the only olympic sport anyone REALLY cared about during that (who are we kidding? every) games.

 

[DrFunk]

As an Atlantan, the Olympics was our pride and joy. Everyone was *beaming* - and honestly, the 96 Olympics put us on the map. Shame about the bomb tho.

 

[mcfrank]

Hoping LA gets it in 2024. Would be a nice reason to dump money into public transport and we already have the stadium infrastructure and the dorms for athletes.

 

[ldcommando]

I'll give my answer at the end of the month. So far, so good.

 

[Hycran]

The best part about being around Vancouver in 2010 was simply walking around and taking in the sights.

I spent the entire 2010 Olympics in whistler and the whole experience was great. Even the Paralympics was pretty poppin. When Sid scored the golden goal, I felt small tears in the space time continuum due to so many people becoming collectively unglued

 

[MMarston]

I spent the entire 2010 Olympics in whistler and the whole experience was great. Even the Paralympics was pretty poppin. When Sid scored the golden goal, I felt small tears in the space time continuum due to so many people becoming collectively unglued

I think what really hit me about that moment was when a little bit after that, CTV showed live bird's eye footage of the major cities across Canada collectively losing it that day. That's when you realize that was a picture perfect national moment that you don't think you'll see ever again. Truly amazing.

 

[Stallion Dan]

Blocked up the already overcrowded trains I used for work. Pissed me off so badly. London 2012.

 

[HawksWinStanley]

I was so glad Chicago didn't get these olympics. Traffic is already a nightmare and there's already too many tourists in the summer.