Part 4/8:
Despite the evident risks, cities have often been sold on the concept of "legacy"—the idea that hosting the Olympics would lead to long-term economic benefits, increased tourism, and improved infrastructure. Yet, studies have shown that the promised benefits frequently do not materialize, as demonstrated by the downturn in tourism in host cities like Atlanta and Sydney after their respective games. Furthermore, many infrastructure projects, touted as beneficial investments, have demonstrated little ROI.
Andrew Zimbalist argues that the narrative of the Olympics being a panacea for economic growth is misleading. In many instances, cities are left with the burden of maintenance costs for unused venues rather than the anticipated economic windfall.