2010 Winter Olympics benefits locals: study

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2010 Winter Olympics benefits locals: study

(Xinhua) 12:59, October 26, 2013

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Vancouver and Whistler residents enjoyed improved transit infrastructure and access to athletic facilities after hosting the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, a recently released study showed.

The Olympic Games Impact (OGI) study, conducted by researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC), is a four-part report required by the International Olympic Committee to measure the overall impact of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

According to the researchers, well before the Olympic bid, regional and provincial governments knew that funding was needed for three major infrastructure projects: the Sea-to-Sky Highway upgrade, the Canada Line light rapid transit extension to Vancouver International Airport, and a major expansion to the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The Olympics offered an unparalleled opportunity to gain federal and provincial collaboration and support, it said.

"This explains why cities aggressively pursue the opportunity to host these large-scale events," said Rob VanWynsberghe, a professor in UBC's Faculty of Education.

According to the report, for every 12 Canadian dollars spent by the provincial and federal government for the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Canada Line, and the Convention Centre, taxpayers only put 1 Canadian dollar toward this infrastructure.

"Residents paid little in direct taxes to get great infrastructure," said VanWynsberghe. "If you use transit, ski or work in tourism, it is a good deal."

While the two host cities enjoyed the biggest return, the study found Canadians across the country also benefited from a boost in pride and nationalism.

（Editor：WangXin、Zhang Qian）