We many not own the whole podium, but we owned the step that matters most!

So now the Olympics are over,I have a small question. Apparently $55 million federal and $55 million private dollars went into Own the Podium. Since the Fed's don't have any real money, they borrowed theirs. So add on 2 million a year interest for essentially eternity.

Was this money well spent? Sure, we get to beat our chests and give the U.S. the raspberry, but other than that, what did we get for it? What overall social benefit has resulted? Will more children get involved in sports now? Or, would more children have gotten involved in sports if that money had been used to fund programs for disadvantaged children?

Maybe I'm a sour grape but when I see healthcare suffering, education suffering, basic services suffering, if we're going to spend 55 million to get ready for the Russian Olympics, I wish someone would explain to me how this is better than keeping schools open or funding necessary surgeries. Can anyone explain this to me ????

Ooh, you ask the hard questions Ski, but you are right on the money.
metalman.

I heard on the news that so far they figure they have made just fewer than 500 million dollars. Of course the final totals are not in yet but I feel concerned. The bill was over 6 billion dollars. Yes some of it was for infrastructure that they would have built anyway. (So they say) Would it have been on the backs of all British Columbians though? The fact of the matter is there is at the very least 3 billion dollars that were spent on this celebration. Do not get me wrong, I felt wonderful at times watching the amazing athletes but will we get the money back? I know they have to sell the athletes condos but still. I feel a little worried.

I didn't like the arrogance of the own the podium talk. It wasn't the humble get it done Canadian attitude. It was foreign and I found it an insult when they said it was because the games where in Western Canada where we take no prisoners... essentially casting us as rabid fanatics that want to win at all costs... I didn't think it was accurate.

Also I found it curious that in the closing ceremonies they had bands singing songs like 'burn it down' by Nickleback, or the rap group signing about poping the pills to feel better and dance with them... ect ect poor taste for a last send off in what is supposed to be an event that encourages clean living and good sportsmanship. Seemed odd to me the mixed message that seemed to go against professed Olympic norms.