intoronto Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Let the Ken King speculation begin: Could he be spearheading a bid for the 2022 Olympics? in the ever-mushrooming sports holdings of the Calgary Flames, president Ken King is being pulled in quite a few different directions. “The team that Harley and Doc brought to Calgary some 33 years ago has changed quite a bit,” King said at Thursday’s announcement of Brian Burke’s capture as President of Hockey Operations. “The Flames family is now part of a much larger organization, the Calgary Flames Sports and Entertainment Corporation.” That organization, of course, also includes the Canadian Football League’s Stampeders, the Western Hockey League’s Hitmen, the American Hockey League Abbotsford Heat and the National Lacrosse League Calgary Roughnecks. So while King says that his role within the hockey structure hasn’t been altered at all, the hiring of a management veteran the quality of Burke as the man GM Jay Feaster reports to directly should, in theory, free up a little more time for King to concentrate more on other long-term goals. Rumours continue to swirl that a possible Olympic bid for the 2022 Winter Games might be in the offing, or at least seriously considered, partly as a springboard to obtaining funding for a new arena and football stadium. The idea of a second Olympics here in Calgary isn’t so far-fetched. The city already has many existing world-class winter sports facilities in place and the unqualified success of 1988, in both financial and venue sustainability terms, would give it a solid foothold in the bidding. The International Olympic Committee has set a Nov. 14, 2013 application deadline for cities seriously considering staging the 2022 Games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quaker2001 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 When I saw the subject line I thought to myself "please tell me this isn't some GB poster pushing Calgary for 2022." And it's worse.. someone is actually contemplating the bid. Pretty much goes without saying this is a stupid idea on several levels, not the least of which is what it does for Toronto. I hope for the sake of Canada's Olympic aspirations that if this gains any traction whatsoever (which I'm guessing it won't) that someone shuts this lunatic down. And does it quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runningrings Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 For once I'm going to jump to Toronto's best interests and hope this doesn't come to fruition. If it does, I think it wouldn't stack against the newer options making themselves known. Also, in the wake of Vancouver, Calgary just seem so daggy in comparison. I would like to see the next NA Olympics be an American SOG- but I think Canada should withhold and pursue a Toronto Games about eight years after a US hosting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 I don't see this going anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 what r they smokin' up there in Alberta?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FYI Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Probably the same thing they're smoking in Utah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gromit Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Irrespective of Vancouver, a Calgary bid would be more welcome than Salt Lake City, with both offering the full range of existing facilities. I agree that 2022 is very unlikely but IF Toronto doesn't win 2024, and Quebec cannot resolve the mountain question, then Calgary would be a welcome contender in 2026, nicely utilising existing world class facilities such as the bobsleigh run and ski jumping facilities but with sufficient legacy such as a new Football stadium for the Stampeders (and maybe a MLS team) and a new arena for the Flames, an update to the Saddledome to be used exclusively by the Hitmen in the same way the Pacific Coliseum is used by the Giants, and an expansion of the Olympic Oval to meet the necessary seating requirements of the speed skating. New Stadium - 40000 seats = ceremonies New NHL arena - 18,000 seats = Ice Hockey Saddledome - 18,000 seats = Figure Skating Max Bauer Arena - 3,200 seats = Curling Stampede Coral - 6500 seats = Figure Skating Olympic Oval - 8000 seats (from 4000) = Speed Skating Whilst the Max Bauer may be too small considering the Canucks love of curling, the abundance of WHL teams in the vicinity could provide the opportunity for a temporary facility relocated after the games to be built. If it came down to Reno v Denver v SLC v Calgary, all bets are off in my opinion - I know who I'd like to host 2026 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intoronto Posted September 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 I too don't think its gonna get any traction, but if Calgary bids and loses it helps Toronto's bid for 2024. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quaker2001 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 I too don't think its gonna get any traction, but if Calgary bids and loses it helps Toronto's bid for 2024. I disagree. How would a Calgary loss help Toronto? To me, all it would show is a lack of commitment on the part of the COC. The fairly clear objective on their part seems to be to push Toronto for a Summer Olympics. If they're throwing Calgary into the race for 2022 (less than 4 years after Vancouver, no less), suddenly that Toronto objective doesn't seem so strong anymore. If they really want their Summer Olympics, they need to be the COC's 1 and only focus. To me, a Calgary bid hurts Toronto a lot more than it helps them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zekekelso Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Bidding for a WOG shouldn't hurt a country's chances of landing a SOG. At some point, the WOG will return to North America. Calgary is at least as good an option as the other choices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.bernham Posted September 7, 2013 Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 1. Why Calgary when you have Munich? 2. Someone kill this Mavis wannabe before this escalates into a full on movement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runningrings Posted September 7, 2013 Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 2. Someone kill this Mavis wannabe before this escalates into a full on movement. Just like Madrid, huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofan Posted September 7, 2013 Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 2. Someone kill this Mavis wannabe before this escalates into a full on movement. Clearly you have great problem solving skills.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.bernham Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Clearly you have great problem solving skills.... While were at it lets move the Spanish Capitol to Barcelona so they will have hosted the games in their capitol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 While were at it lets move the Spanish Capitol to Barcelona so they will have hosted the games in their capitol LOL! And I'm sure that's what pisses off Madrilenos the most - ever since 1992, so many people think Barcelona IS the capital of Spain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runningrings Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 LOL! And I'm sure that's what pisses off Madrilenos the most - ever since 1992, so many people think Barcelona IS the capital of Spain. It is amazing the impact that 1992 has had. Many Australians I know who have been to Spain often do Barcelona and the Mediterranean coast down to Almeria - but fewer actually visit Madrid. The Melbourne in me loves the success story of this second city. Madrid, despite being the largest city and capital, really does have a 'second city' chip on its shoulder. If the 2022 Olympics did end up in Barcelona - it would be somewhat glorious. If Munich doesn't step up to 2022 - I'll back Barcelona. It is the least I can do for the Spanish after criticising Madrid 2020! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 If Munich doesn't step up to 2022 - I'll back Barcelona. It is the least I can do for the Spanish after criticising Madrid 2020! I'm sure the Castillians will appreciate your altruism! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.bernham Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 It is amazing the impact that 1992 has had. Many Australians I know who have been to Spain often do Barcelona and the Mediterranean coast down to Almeria - but fewer actually visit Madrid. The Melbourne in me loves the success story of this second city. Madrid, despite being the largest city and capital, really does have a 'second city' chip on its shoulder. If the 2022 Olympics did end up in Barcelona - it would be somewhat glorious. If Munich doesn't step up to 2022 - I'll back Barcelona. It is the least I can do for the Spanish after criticising Madrid 2020! I'm with you there! I want to see Thomas Bach say, "Barcelona" for the pure envy Madrid would feel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoshi Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Or just make Catalonia independent so Barcelona can be a capital anyway, & there'll be no more confusion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.bernham Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Or just make Catalonia independent so Barcelona can be a capital anyway, & there'll be no more confusion! I'm with this too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Bidding for a WOG shouldn't hurt a country's chances of landing a SOG. At some point, the WOG will return to North America. Calgary is at least as good an option as the other choices. The more I think about it, considering the potential dearth of candidates for 2022, Calgary may have a shot. If neither Munich nor Oslo bid (a distinct possibility), I can see Calgary beating the likes of Zakopane, Lviv and Almaty. It might not be the IOC's ideal scenario, but it might be their best option under the circumstances. Besides, Canada is SO much better at Winter Games that in some ways Winter Games really make a lot more sense for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quaker2001 Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 The more I think about it, considering the potential dearth of candidates for 2022, Calgary may have a shot. If neither Munich nor Oslo bid (a distinct possibility), I can see Calgary beating the likes of Zakopane, Lviv and Almaty. It might not be the IOC's ideal scenario, but it might be their best option under the circumstances. Besides, Canada is SO much better at Winter Games that in some ways Winter Games really make a lot more sense for them. It would probably need to be a pretty weak field for Calgary to pull that off. You're talking just 12 years removed from Vancouver, and it's not like it's been forever since Calgary either. And I know I'm the guy who says past precedents mean very little, but you have to go all the way back to 1948 to find the last time a former host beat another city to host a Winter Olympics. Then of course, there's Toronto. If Calgary were to get the 2022 Olympics, Toronto would be shelved easily for at least another 20 years. Calgary 2022 would virtually assure that the next North American Summer Olympics goes to the United States, so with that perhaps unlikely to happen before 2032, how much longer of a wait is Toronto looking at? Not to speak for the COC, but they seem to have a clear vision of pushing Toronto to be their next Olympic host. If they try and slip Calgary in there, that's not doing Toronto any favors and it's the same logic we argue against with the USOC that pursuing a Winter bid could get in the way of going after a Summer bid. If they want the bigger prize that is a Summer Olympics, then to push Calgary is definitely to 'settle' for the smaller prize. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.bernham Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 It would probably need to be a pretty weak field for Calgary to pull that off. You're talking just 12 years removed from Vancouver, and it's not like it's been forever since Calgary either. And I know I'm the guy who says past precedents mean very little, but you have to go all the way back to 1948 to find the last time a former host beat another city to host a Winter Olympics. Then of course, there's Toronto. If Calgary were to get the 2022 Olympics, Toronto would be shelved easily for at least another 20 years. Calgary 2022 would virtually assure that the next North American Summer Olympics goes to the United States, so with that perhaps unlikely to happen before 2032, how much longer of a wait is Toronto looking at? Not to speak for the COC, but they seem to have a clear vision of pushing Toronto to be their next Olympic host. If they try and slip Calgary in there, that's not doing Toronto any favors and it's the same logic we argue against with the USOC that pursuing a Winter bid could get in the way of going after a Summer bid. If they want the bigger prize that is a Summer Olympics, then to push Calgary is definitely to 'settle' for the smaller prize. COC and USOC need to make a deal where they conduct an international domestic race for winter/summer. It would make things so much easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Quaker, there's a real chance it will be a pretty weak field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quaker2001 Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Quaker, there's a real chance it will be a pretty weak field. Maybe it will be and maybe Calgary has a shot there. But again, COC needs to look at the bigger picture.. what would a Calgary 2022 Olympics do to Toronto? If they're okay with the consequences of that, more power to them. Worth noting that the vote for the 2022 Olympics is scheduled for July 31, 2015. That's less than a week after the end of the Pan Am Games in Toronto. Wouldn't that be a dagger through the collective heart of Toronto if another Canadian city jumped in and got an Olympics before they get a chance to bid again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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