WI: Toronto Hosts the 2008 Summer Olympics Instead of Beijing?

I remember living in Ontario back in 2000-2001, their was alot of hype about the idea that Tronto would host the 2008 Summer Olympics. I can rember seeing banners hanging ontop of the bridges along the 401 about it, and we kids talked about going to see the games when we were older. Obviously, that didn't happen, and the games went to Beijing. Which were probably the most controversial games of my lifetime (Tibet was the cheif reason IIRC), but also very memorable as well, since they launched both Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps into Sports Superstardom.

But, what if things had went a little bit differently, and Toronto had hosted the 2008 Summer Games instead? How would it play out at the municipal, provincial, national and international level? How would China react? I assume they would bid again for a future Olympics, but which year?

For starters, the obvious thing that changes is Vancouver won't host the 2010 Winter Games. That means either Salzburg, Austria or Pyeongchang, South Korea will get those games. My money would be on Pyeongchang, since they were the runner up to host the 2010 Games in OTL, and they have since won the right to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. How all that would effect the 2012, 2014 and 2016 Olympics, I'm not sure.

So, any thoughts?
 
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For starters, the obvious thing that changes is Vancouver won't host the 2010 Winter Games. That means either Salzburg, Austria or Pyeongchang, South Korea will get those games. My money would be on Pyeongchang, sine they were the runner up to host the 2010 Games in OTL, and they have since won the right to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. How all that would effect the 2012, 2014 and 2016 Olympics, I'm not sure.

So, any thoughts?

For the 2012 Olympic bids, New York City can cross itself off the list. I'd say that considering the butterfly effect, London and Paris are both likely candidates, and Madrid is still the dark horse. Beijing might try again, but odds are against it hosting so soon after an Asian city hosted the previous Winter games.

For 2014, Pyeongchang is presumably off the list, leaving Salzburg and Sochi as the only viable candidates (towns in Spain, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Bulgaria missed the shortlist due to lack of infrastructure, preparedness, or due to not fitting official requirements). As Sochi won easily even with Pyeongchang in second place, it stands a good chance here, too.

As for the 2016 Olympics, Chicago might stand a better chance by this time, while Madrid's odds are still diminished if the last two games are held in European cities. Rio still has the "first in South America" hype going for it, while Tokyo is also in a good position. Beijing might do good trying again here.

2018 and beyond is anyone's guess. Pyeongchang is off the list for 2018, and in OTL the only other bids came from Annecy (France) and Munich (Germany). If Paris hosts in 2012, France probably won't have good odds. Munich might spark some interest as the first city to host both the Summer and Winter games. If Beijing or Tokyo win the bid in 2016, we might see a stiff competition in 2020 from Rio, Istanbul, and Madrid. If Rio still wins in 2016, 2020 will definitely go to Beijing or Tokyo.
 
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Toronto would have a lot of building to do between 2001 and 2008, though the fundamentals were pretty good and Toronto's Olympic Bid focused all but a handful of events on the city's waterfront, which would probably mean a much better developed center core for the city.

As far as how it changes Canada and the world is an open question, but I'd bet the answer is not much, simply because of the fact that Toronto would not have been able to match Beijing's funding. Especially since Beijing and Rio have spent enormous $$$ on bids, a Toronto 2008 Olympics would likely have been somewhat less promising that the Beijing ones were in terms of spectacle, though it would certainly be less controversial.
 
I'm guessing that like the Panam games a good chunk of things would be in surrounding cities like Oshawa, Oakville and Hamilton.
 
I would think the biggest impact would be the hype of China’s growing dominance would be more muted. There would be a comparative lack of spectacle, the Chinese drummers would never happen and wouldn’t be a symbol of a rising power.

A Toronto Olympics could hope to be like the London one, charming and delightful but no one is going to be impressed by Canada Rising. More likely is they may soon be forgotten…

As for alternate city choices –

2010 – Pyeongchang

2012 – Paris (nobody is going to want another Anglophone right after)

2014 – Sochi

2016 – Rio (still most likely)

2018 – Munich (most likely of OTL bids, and doubt more would apply ITTL since economic concerns remain)
 
My personal idea is that Beijing would try to host the 2016 Olympics, and they stand a good chance of winning. Assuming Chicago also bids for the games, it may have some interesting political implications. Assuming economics plays out like OTL, a Chinese city beating an American city to host the Olympics could be a big deal, or at least seen as one.

Also, I'm curious what impact Toronto Hosting the Olympics would have on elections. What impact did London hosting them this year have on all the elections leading up to them? I don't just mean municipal election, but also provincial and federal ones as well.
 

Thande

Donor
What impact did London hosting them this year have on all the elections leading up to them?

Not a whole lot, because everyone supported the games equally, just about. Though our London-based members can perhaps give more details.
 
No Vancouver 2010, I will not be in the stands to see Canada win a gold medal :(

Myself I am happy that Toronto did not get the 2008 games as the 2010 games we so much fun in Vancouver.

I do not see 2008 have the same festive atmosphere that the 2010 games had.

As well the rest of the country will need to listen to Toronto going on more how they are the greatest city in Canada.
 
Hmm, in that case I'd have spent my summer in Canada instead of going back home for work, as I usually did. IIRC, that would be between my second and third years of uni, so I'd probably be banging on either Doc What's door for a place to stay or probably asked around with our Toronto AH.commers. :p
 
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