Are the Olympic Games a waste of money?

[dimpy.handa]

The idea that the Games brings people together is only partly true. Large-scale sports brings about rivalry, and nationalism has manifested itself at the event before (1936 Berlin, 1972 Munich, Cold War rivalries, etc.).Even China's 2008 bid is charged with nationalism.

George Orwell makes the point the best in "the Sporting Spirit," I think. There's no real focus of bringing people together like a cooperative event such as, say, Live Aid or likely the upcoming Climate Change concert series. Nothing against sports themselves, but the limitations of promoting global unity through having countries compete for glory are apparent

 

[jimmybhogal]

Olympic Games really bring people together. Where will you see athletes from 200+ countries coming together and participating. Though it has been commercialized by the IOC, but still every country in the world waits for this event and hopes to get a medal