This discussion in tone and substance is so Toronto.
In Europe over the past few weekends - and for most of the summer - crowds of more than 60,000 have packed stadiums to watch track and field - always a crowd pleaser at the Pan Ams. The highlight of these meets, of course, has been Usain Bolt and the rivalry between USA and Jamaica in the sprints.
In Wimbledon or the US Tennis Open, tickets to the finals are Stub Hub territory and cost thousands. Up at the Canadian Open last weekend, there were lots of good tickets for the finals available at the box office and plenty of empty seats at match time.
I am not certain that globally more people would know who the Raptors, Leafs and Blue Jays are than who Usain Bolt and Serena Williams are.
In the world of sports, just what do Torontonians get passionate about other than third rate hockey and perhaps fourth rate soccer?
For sports of any other issue, is there any consideration other than cost?
Can we hold an event which draws on a market bigger than southern Ontario?
Why are the national sports centres for Canada located anywhere but Toronto and why are Toronto and Ontario proportionately under-represented on elite level national sporting teams?
I am sure Toronto and region will get the Pan Ams, the alternatives are particularly weak this time around. Then we can expand this thread into a half decade long gripe session about costs, poor choice of venue locations, lack of interest, sure-fire failure, government bail-outs, how is it helping the poor, etc., etc.
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