Mayor Tory is said to think that Toronto’s administration of the Pan Am Games sets a fine example with which to bid for the 2024 Olympic Games. He will be correct in all likelihood from the viewpoint of that stern council of Olympic bosses who sit in judgement of municipal supplicants from all over the world. Who can erase the images of weeping losers forced to participate in those grotesque television specials in which the winner is finally declared. Not unlike the cruel spectacles of the Hunger Games. Taxpayers may relate better to knowing that in the past it cost their town millions just to be humiliated in front of a world audience of billions. It’s not the same as losing in the high jump. This defeat comes by the arbitrary fiat of IOC Brahmins in Lausanne.
COST OVERRUNS NOT UNKNOWN IN TORONTO
The City and the Province have indeed produced a series of smooth functioning sites for events, a structure of homes in the Pan Am Village of which to be proud and some nighttime carnivals on Nathan Phillips Square which entertained many. Could Toronto mount the 2024 Olympic Games? Sure. The issue for thoughtful ratepayers will be whether the indebtedness and inconvenience is really necessary. The Olympics, remember, seldom make a profit. The host City is always left holding the bag. God knows, cost overruns are not unknown in Toronto. The mayor says he wants to make a decision ”very quickly”. We think not too quickly would be better, sir. Toronto is facing a tight deadline. Candidates must make an official bid with the International Olympic Committee by Sept. 15.
REMEMBER, THE IOC WOULD BE LUCKY TO HAVE US
Notwithstanding deadlines, the most important Olympic planning issues in debt-ridden Ontario are the cost and the sound judgement of those to be in charge. Ontario is not China, where a wonderful spectacle was produced with the unpaid labour of millions of patriotic people. The profound truth about this blessed place on the Great Lakes is that the IOC will be lucky to come here. Let there be enough good judgement to prevent abuse of the citizens. The HOV lanes on the Gardiner, QEW and Don Valley have been an abomination. The drive to Hamilton has turned into a two-hour stop and go ordeal. No earthly purpose has been served by this product of over-excited planners.
Is the COC and TORY going to pay for the games out of their own pockets or are the broke taxpayers of Ontario suppose to support Toronto the Great once again? Some one needs to tune Tory up with a blunderbuss full of his own s%^t! We can’t afford to make the greedy pigs rich again. Of what benefit would these so called “Games” be to anyone outside the GTA especially Northern Ontario? NONE! Mrs Ed and that tory moron best rethink this manure!