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Toronto’s case for hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics remains controversial. On the one hand, there are supporters who argue that holding the Games would help push Toronto to new levels, boost the economy and help in city development. On the other hand, there are critics who see the financial issues, poor prioritization, and the ability of Toronto to handle the event. This article takes a closer look at this situation by providing arguments from both sides, the supporters and the critics while also providing an analysis.
A Historical Perspective Of Toronto
If Toronto is said to have an olympic history its one of what could have been. They lost out to Atlanta in their bid for the 1996 Summer Olympics and Beijing in the 2008 Games. Further this history adds fuel in looking back at the montreal olympics where things did not exactly go as planned. The Games have been nicknamed as the ‘Big Owe’ because it placed montreal in debt and the Olympic Stadium became its biggest problem. As said by one commentator, “Was it so difficult to raise money to pay for what until today can be called a destroyed stadium that has been lying there for a few decades?”.
All of these precedents can certainly cause concern, and for critics, the risk is far exceed the rewards. Critics even warn that if Toronto does not improve its Containment and Logistics Systems it may become the next Montreal.
The Economic Argument
Advocates of the 2036 Olympics emphasize the economic value of hosting the Olympics. They claim that with the right management, the Games would increase tourism, create jobs, as well as get income from selling broadcast rights and sponsorship. For example, the IOC has given Paris 12 billion dollars to assist in the financing of the 2024 Olympics. The proponents argue that Toronto could get such levels of funding as well as take advantage of already funded developments to bring the cost down.
However, skeptics questions whether these economic advantages are worth the amount that is being put down as a cost. One person who commented did not seem to be convinced saying: “Perhaps when the IOC learns to control its costs. For now it simply appears to be an opportunity to waste billions.” Research on other recent hosting of Olympics tells of how hardly any time have revenues raised been able to meet the expenditures incurred compelling the host cities to take on debts.
Infrastructure and City Development
The supporters of the Olympics argue that global games can provide a boost to undertaking very important infrastructure projects. For Toronto, easing the housing crisis, expanding public transport systems and improving the sporting amenities would be done quickly. One quote came from a more optimistic supporter: “The Olympics can force the reason on getting a lot of transportation, housing, sport, parks, and many other infrastructure built in the shortest time possible.”
The borrowing of Toronto’s existing facilities, for example the vedaom in Milton, would serve the requisites set by the International Olympic Commission. There has been an effort on the side of the IOC to this end over the past few years. However, coupled with Toronto’s experience with large scale initiatives – such as the botched Eglinton Crosstown LRT line – there are serious doubts about Toronto’s capacity to manage the event that is the Olympic Games.
Public Sentiment and Social Impact
The perspective of hosting the Olympics in Toronto tends to be viewed differently by residents of the city. For a subset of residents of the city, the Olympics will be an excellent opportunity to be seen on the global stage, instil nationalism and also an avenue to motivate young sports enthusiasts. Others see this as an expensive extravagance that can be avoided. One poignant comment read: “If there is so much as ONE homeless person sleeping on the sidewalk, any Olympic folly or other similar is utterly ridiculous.”
However, critics caution that leveraging the Olympics may also lead to the forced removal of poor citizens, erosion of the biosphere, and issues of venues that are termed as “white elephant”- Olympic facilities that do not have any relevance after the games. In juxtaposition, proponents contend such a scenario envisages an Olympic Village which is likely to get a comprehensive plan that would enable conversion into affordable housing units which are a crying need in Toronto.
Global Competition and IOC Reforms
Toronto is not the only city willing to come forward for a 2036 Olympic bid. India, Indonesia and Qatar also eager to host the Olympics. The IOC has implemented reforms which have the potential of making the bidding process less complicated and less furnish, targeting the cities that have the ability to build on already establish structures. All these developments may make Toronto bid possible, the only threat is strong competition.
What’s Next for Toronto?
The decision to bid for the 2036 Olympics is a crossroads for the city of Toronto. It can have a huge transformation advantage only if the Games are organized in a transparent, efficient and impact driven manner. Critics rightly highlight the risks, but supporters argue that the chance to accelerate the pace of urbanization and elevate the summer sports program in Canada is an opportunity worth pursuing.
As one observer put it, “The Olympics are about more than sport. It is about motivating the whole country, about establishing a vision, and about demonstrating to the world what we are able to perform”. Whether Toronto can rise to this challenge remains to be seen. For now, the debate continues, reflecting the complexity of this monumental decision.
Last Updated on by Icy Canada Team
