Olympic Fever

One year after Vancouver hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, the city is abuzz reliving the glory of being the centre of the world's attention. Much of this focus has been on what was done correctly, and what should have been done differently. London, next to host the Olympics in the summer of 2012, should pay attention to this debate to help prepare themselves.

As a resident of a host city, much of the lead up to the Olympics was incredibly negative. All the press revolved around how much money was being spent, who was benefiting and who was being hurt by new development. Protests abound until there were protests about protesting. Once the games began, however, the biggest difficulty was getting along with your day to day life. Everyone had multiple phone calls coming from people all over the country asking for places to stay as hotels booked up years in advance.

In the aftermath of the Olympics, the city was changed. The businesses that survived the building of the Canada Line thrived, and the attitude of the city was one of united pride. The previously run-down industrial area along False Creek was revived into a useful living community.

Much of this will be repeated in London next year. The large metropolis is used to handling mass amounts of traffic and dense populations, but this could work either in favour or against them with an additional influx of people. The cost of building new infrastructure will be partially offset by increased tourism; hotels in Islington, Stratford, and many other East End boroughs will see bookings like never before. In the aftermath, the technological hub and new sports arenas will continue to revive the areas, trickling from the largest stadiums to the smaller surrounding Islington hotels. It simply remains for the government and police of London to deal with the inevitable protests and politics involved, before the city can enjoy their moment of fame while encouraging athletes from around the world.