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@cselley The pan a games got the UP express accelerated, built a ton of housing near the waterfront that is in use today and refitted both maple leaf gardens and U of T Scarborough into world class athletic centres.
Just say you hate FIFA and you’re wrong about the rest of it and I agree
@cselley We hosted the pan am games a decade ago and it left a legacy of infrastructure, transit and housing that is widely regarded as a huge success.
@cselley There are people who complain Toronto will never be world class like NYC or London or etc etc and then also say we simply can’t possibly afford to host the Olympics or World Cup or whatever and I think they should pick a lane.
Being a big-time city costs money. That’s the world.
@cselley Again I’m not debating the FIFA deal, it sucks but i hope the vibe is great so we get something back.
But the original post was you putting your hands up for us not hosting any international events, which I think is a really bad idea for our city.
@cselley I have zero love for FIFA or the WC (I think you are prob a bigger soccer fan than me!) but yes doing this stuff costs a lot.
We should def do better than the raw ass deal we clearly got, but we shouldn’t stop trying to host big things for the world. That’s what real cities do!
@DownToBlack Dropping Selley off, Chris on another note how can they possibly send Valenzuela down right now? Options, whatever, the evidence is so clear
@DownToBlack@cselley I take the point. We also give a ton of taxpayer money to obscenely wealthy people every day without it doing anything that at makes the city feel alive, relevant and part of a global community.
I guess I’m trying to see the good in it. People I talk to are excited.
@cselley I think welcoming the world for global events as opposed to for individual tourists makes a city more relevant and vibrant on the world stage.
At a time when Canada has a wonderful opportunity to siphon off US tourism, I think it’s good to say come on over!
Maybe I’m naive.
@DownToBlack@cselley Shit even the Pan-Am games were pretty cool. I like inviting the world to our city, even though it’s not easy.
You wanna be the friend who always goes out but never ever hosts?