Re: The Olympics were a waste of money — March 3

I object to Ryan Regier’s assertion that the money invested in the 2010 Olympic Games would have been better spent elsewhere.

It’s easy for him to say that tragedies in Haiti and Chile were more fitting recipients of funding. Obviously, they are, but the reality of this situation is that financial commitments for these Olympics were made many years ago, before Chile, Haiti, the financial market meltdown, the housing crash, the tsunami, or 9/11.

Unlike social commentators, most real people in this world do not have the benefit of working from hindsight. And even if they did, is it wrong to plan a goodwill event for the world to see because we know that unseen tragedies will surely arise in the years to come?

VANOC should be congratulated for the show it put on. Many people, including Canadians, saw a side of Canada they never knew existed. Tourism dollars will surely follow. And a direct benefit to hosting the Olympics is a vast improvement to Vancouver’s previously woeful infrastructure system. Now the city can truly handle the crowds it will draw as a result of these Games.

The money was an investment in Canada, plain and simple. The fact that we got to experience a gushing of national pride in the process was merely a coincidental bonus. Now our kids have amazing role models to pattern themselves after. Perhaps now they’ll spend a little less time in front of their video consoles and enjoy life instead.

And who knows, maybe there won’t be as much childhood obesity in the years to come as kids rush to the ice rinks and ski hills to mimic their new heroes.

I’m sorry Regier can’t see the numerous positives from these Games. We know that Haiti and Chile have been devastated. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them on a daily basis, as well as our financial contributions and volunteer relief efforts.

But for Regier to insinuate that we should somehow feel ashamed for the money that was spent when so many terrible things happen in this world, I question why we can’t embrace the few good things this life sends us too. Unlike the media, we don’t have to dwell on what sells newspapers.