A question about the Olympics.

[skypilot]

I don't know why I don't know this but here goes. What happens with all the stadiums and other facilities but specially for the Olympics once the games are over? For some reason this just occured to me with this year games. A city spends all this money and does all this construction for an event that last only a few weeks. What use do they make of these facilities afterwards?

[underpants]

1. Generally they use them to host other events throughout the year

and for national competitions.

Some, like Montreal, use them for sports other than the original purpose. For the most part though they are used by the local community to host local events as well as international/regional events.

[Kellanved]

2. Usually they stay around

The main stadiums usually stay in use after the Olympics.
Some of the other installations are very expensive and are a great asset for the area.
And, of course, some arenas are temporary buildings only, to be razed after the event.

The Olympic Village usually gets converted to something else (new Suburb/University Dorms/...).

[GOPisEvil]

3. They can be used for just about anything.

There are world championships in every sport each year, and those sites get rotated. So, having an Olympic-class facility will enable that city to draw future events that have less stature, but still bring in fans and media. Also, the athletes of that country now have better facilities to train in.

[RubyDuby in GA]

4. Good question

Here in Atlanta, the main stadium was converted and is now where the Braves are kicking ass and taking names (as usual, until the playoffs where they will choke like every year). The major aquatics unit is at GA Tech and is used by the school. The Horse Park in Conyers holds festivals, concerts, etc (although usually for nutcase country people), etc. And Centennial Olympic Park is used everyday by children during the summer who flock there to play in the fountains and by office dwellers (like me who work 3 blocks away) who need escape. Can't speak for other cities, but the venues that were built for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics have all been reused and continue to provide entertainment to those of us in the area.

[skypilot]

5. Thanks all.

*

[stanwyck]

7. Atlanta is owed an apology

by all those who complained about the job we did hosting the Olympics. We did a great job. Venues were accessible, traffic was minimal, lines moved quickly. Other than some questionable choices during the Opening Ceremonies (monster trucks), Atlanta did an admirable job.

[RubyDuby in GA]

8. Couldn't agree with you more

And we're the only ones who came out of the Olympics without a debt.

[russian33]

6. Moscow made Olympic village into a hotel chain

I stayed there in 1994