Backing the Bid

I'm backing the Olympic bid for Salzburg 2010.

As much as I would love to see the Olympics come to Vancouver, I am simply not convinced that it would result in a positive outcome for the city.

Sure, it's great that we are getting infrastructure improvements like the upgrading of the Sea to Die highway, but shouldn't that be a priority anyway?

Almost every modern Olympic Games has resulted in massive debt, resulting in unfavorable economic conditions for the people who choose to live in the host city after the games are over.

I'll admit that my reasons for supporting the Salzburg bid are selfish: I'm looking to buy a home in the next year or so. I would like to housing market to stay its current course of about 3 - 5% increase per year, making a purchase within my grasp. The IOC are planning to announce the winning bid on July 2, 2003. If Vancouver wins that bid, there is a very real possibility of the housing market inflating far more than the yearly average.

So, come July 2nd, if Vancouver is announced as the Host city, I'll be greatly disappointed that Salzburg lost....and very excited about the Olympics here in my home town.