| New York 2012? |
November 2002
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Olympic Hurdles Ahead for Big Apple
After the World Trade Center murders, New York became America's sentimental favorite for Olympic glory in 2012. A certain defiance, to be sure, gave New York a boost as it wrested the US nomination from San Francisco. But the fussing has already begun as the final, international phase of the hosting competition begins, and it may doom the city's chances.
New York will need to build huge facilities and accommodation for a successful Olympics. Every other city in the world will have to as well. Indeed, one of the reasons for the honor is to jumpstart infrastructure projects that would otherwise languish in planning committees for years. And the whining that goes with such projects is also compressed in time.
Some of the complaints heard thus far have some merit -- for instance no parking will be provided at new sporting venues. New York's public transportation is arguably up to the job. On the other hand, building parking in a city desperately short of it might not be a bad idea.
The real problem with New York's candidacy, though, is New Yorkers. The jadedness inhabitants of the city affect is likely to prevent the Olympic fever seen in Salt Lake City and Atlanta. And it is that civic mania that gets things done quickly and effectively. The USOC made a good choice with New York, and San Francisco would have done the games and the country proud. But in the end, the fire in the belly to bring the game home doesn't seem to be here.
A compromise exists, though. Put the games in Toronto. It's North America, more likely to appreciate the role of host, and as Peter Ustinov said, "Toronto is New York, if the Swiss were running it."