Verified Document

Urban Geography - The 2002 Essay

Aftermath As the city council was making its preparations to host the Olympics, various groups militated for the negative effects the endeavor would generate upon the city. They cited the necessity to invest large amounts of money from the national budget, which means that other charitable events and endeavors would be left aside. Another limitation is given by the fact that throughout the 17 days games, the businesses not directly involved in the Olympics might suffer disturbances. Finally, the third major argument was given by the possibility that the massive investments made in improving the city's infrastructure might prove worthless in the future, as these newly created facilities would not be otherwise used (Economics Help, 2007).

Despite these fears however, Salt Lake City benefited largely from the developments made in infrastructure, generally referred to as the Olympic legacy facilities. These include locations such as the Utah Olympic Park, the Soldier Hollow or the Utah Olympic Oval, which "offer an array of activities for people of all ages, abilities and aspirations. Whether you are a recreational enthusiast, developing athlete, spectator or tourist, we encourage you to "Get Up & Go!" For a unique Olympic experience" (Website of the State of Utah, 2009). While the first two facilities are used for the same events as throughout the Olympics, the Utah Olympic Oval has been transformed from a skating ring into a facility offering (aside skating possibilities), weight facilities, gymnasiums or swimming pools. All of the facilities built or improved with the occasion f hosting the Olympic Games were transformed for the benefit of the local communities and now host various activities, such as skating or skiing. "Each venue has been transformed into a community facility, open year-round to the public for post-Games usage. There are introductory Olympic winter sports programs, public skating on "The Fastest Ice on Earth," tours of the Olympic facilities, tubing, cross-country skiing, public bobsled rides, ski jumping and freestyle aerial shows, 2002 Games exhibit and the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center/Alf Engen Ski Museum" (Website of the State of Utah, 2009). This will lead to the economic development of the region as new tourist will be attracted to the region. Foremost, the Olympics generated a televised publicity of the beautiful landscape, which is expected to turn Utah into a winter destination.

Aside the future usage of the sports facilities and the economic gains they generate, the city has also benefited from the multifunctional usage of other locations. In this order of ideas, the buildings constructed to hold the participants and the guests to the Olympics will become housing facilities for the students at the Utah University. In addition, the equipments (including furniture and computers) used in the games will be purchased by local schools and governments...

Conclusions
The modern day cities strive to become engaged in events that consolidate their position onto the international map. An event that could achieve this is the Olympics and after various failed attempts, Salt Lake City managed to host these games in 2002. The city prepared for seven years for the winter sports and encountered numerous challenges in doing so. Despite the difficulties however, SLC succeeded in its endeavor and its urban geography gained tremendously. The roads infrastructure was significantly improved; new buildings and facilities were constructed (which are today used for various operations); the local economy and tourism increased.

References

Clark, D., 1982, Urban Geography: An Introductory Guide, Taylor & Francis

Findling, J.E., Pelle, K.D., 2004, Encyclopedia of the Modern Olympic Movement, Revised Edition, Greenwood Publishing Group

Garner, R., 2008, Olympics, Website of NASA, http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/topstory/olympics/index.htmllastaccessed on March 2, 2009

Harpst, T.P., the Salt Lake City Olympic Experience Downtown Transportation and City Impact Highlights, Retrieved at http://nexus.umn.edu/Courses/pa8202/Salt%20Lake%20City%20Olympics%20Downtown%20Transportation%20and%20City%20Impact%20Highlights.pdfonMarch 2, 2009

Lee, S., 2001, Salt Lake City Bid Scandal, News AIC, http://newsaic.com/caseolympic.htmllastaccessed on March 2, 2009

Oman, S., February 2, 2001, Salt Lake City, About.com: Geography, http://geography.about.com/library/misc/ucslc.html. astaccessed on March 2, 2009

November 8, 2007, Costs and Benefits of the Olympics, Economics Help, http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/sport/costs-and-benefits-of-the-olympics/lastaccessed on March 2, 2009

November 18, 2001, Salt Lake City Prepares for Winter Olympics, VOA News, http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2001-11/a-2001-11-18-3-Salt.cfmlastaccessed on March 2, 2009

March 2, 2002, American Mosaic - March 7, 2002: Songs by Hank Williams Junior / the Effects of the Olympics on Salt Lake City / a Visit to Hemingway's House, VOA News, http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2002-03/a-2002-03-08-2-1.cfmlastaccessed on March 2, 2009

2007, the Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, Columbia University Press

2008, Website of Salt Lake City, http://www.slcgov.com/lastaccessed on March 2, 2009

2009, 2002 Winter Olympics Overview, Website of the State of Utah, http://www.utah.com/olympics/lastaccessed on March 2, 2009

2009, Urban Geography, Answers.com, http://www.answers.com/topic/urban-geographylastaccessed on March 2, 2009

Olympic Games: Federal Government Provides Significant Funding and Support: Report to Congressional Requesters, DIANE Publishing, ISBN 1428972439

Sources used in this document:
References

Clark, D., 1982, Urban Geography: An Introductory Guide, Taylor & Francis

Findling, J.E., Pelle, K.D., 2004, Encyclopedia of the Modern Olympic Movement, Revised Edition, Greenwood Publishing Group

Garner, R., 2008, Olympics, Website of NASA, http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/topstory/olympics/index.htmllastaccessed on March 2, 2009

Harpst, T.P., the Salt Lake City Olympic Experience Downtown Transportation and City Impact Highlights, Retrieved at http://nexus.umn.edu/Courses/pa8202/Salt%20Lake%20City%20Olympics%20Downtown%20Transportation%20and%20City%20Impact%20Highlights.pdfonMarch 2, 2009
Lee, S., 2001, Salt Lake City Bid Scandal, News AIC, http://newsaic.com/caseolympic.htmllastaccessed on March 2, 2009
Oman, S., February 2, 2001, Salt Lake City, About.com: Geography, http://geography.about.com/library/misc/ucslc.html. astaccessed on March 2, 2009
November 8, 2007, Costs and Benefits of the Olympics, Economics Help, http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/sport/costs-and-benefits-of-the-olympics/lastaccessed on March 2, 2009
November 18, 2001, Salt Lake City Prepares for Winter Olympics, VOA News, http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2001-11/a-2001-11-18-3-Salt.cfmlastaccessed on March 2, 2009
March 2, 2002, American Mosaic - March 7, 2002: Songs by Hank Williams Junior / the Effects of the Olympics on Salt Lake City / a Visit to Hemingway's House, VOA News, http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2002-03/a-2002-03-08-2-1.cfmlastaccessed on March 2, 2009
2008, Website of Salt Lake City, http://www.slcgov.com/lastaccessed on March 2, 2009
2009, 2002 Winter Olympics Overview, Website of the State of Utah, http://www.utah.com/olympics/lastaccessed on March 2, 2009
2009, Urban Geography, Answers.com, http://www.answers.com/topic/urban-geographylastaccessed on March 2, 2009
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Urban Geography Trends in Baltimore
Words: 1105 Length: 3 Document Type: Research Paper

The Hispanics have also migrated away from their more sparse locales in the city to increase the population in the Hispanic southeast corner of the city, still living with a majority of whites (Hispanic 2000). Using this information we see that residential differentiation, especially between whites and blacks, has become more intense, sharpening the lines between the races in the residential communities of Baltimore City. Perhaps because of this increased

Urban Homelessness Amongst Children
Words: 1745 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

IntroductionHomelessness in urban areas, particularly among children, is a significant issue facing major U.S. cities. As reported in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development�s annual homeless assessment report (2020), there were approximately 570,000 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2019 in the United States. Furthermore, homelessness has recently increased nationwide, although the temporal changes in homeless rates exhibit considerable sub-national variations. For example, while homelessness

Urban Areas
Words: 1059 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Urban Area Globalization has created a profound impact on society. Through globalization, emerging markets continue to grow and develop. New and innovative products are created that provide solutions to societal problems. As such, wealth is created that is distributed to nations that provide services to humanity. As wealth is distributed, urban areas are created and cultivated. These cities, over time, become populated with the new inhabitants, and continue to thrive. The

Geography the Gobi Desert: Its
Words: 884 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

The rain, averaging only 2-4 inches annually, comes in seasonal bursts that sometimes result in flash floods. Temperatures throughout the Gobi Desert are equally extreme, with lows records at -40 degree Fahrenheit and highs of 113 degrees Fahrenheit (Sadler 76). All of these climatic and geologic forces have combined to shape the landscape throughout the Gobi Desert. They have created immense megadunes a quarter of a mile tall held

Geography
Words: 1850 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

Geography It's not my Fault Canada is, by any measure, an immigrant country. Yet it recent years two trends have combined to cause stress on the fabric of Canadian society. A fault line has opened up between new Canadians who have recently arrived and those who have longer roots in the country. This fault causes social frictions, as the mores and ethics of Canadian society are influenced by the newcomers, and by

Geography World Cities a Global
Words: 2468 Length: 7 Document Type: Essay

S. And Mexico border is a sign, immigration to the U.S. is probable to become more dangerous in the years to come. Recently the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to crack down on covert immigrants. As it anticipates action in the Senate, policymakers in France are also bearing in mind legislation that aspires to decrease immigration (Brottem, 2006). The United States financial system has a voracious hunger for low-wage

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now