Assess Olympic Games costs and benefits

Overview: How do the demographics of Utah and other states compare? What is the financial impact of the Olympic Games on host cities? Have students examine the short-term and long-term costs incurred in hosting the Olympics. Challenge students to evaluate whether or not they would want their city to host the Olympics by weighing the costs and the benefits.

Curriculum Connections: Current Events, Economics

Have students watch the video, "Olympics: By the numbers," and answer the following:

1.What is the median age of Utah's residents? What percentage of Utah's residents have completed high school? How does Utah's literacy rate compare to the rest of the U.S.? What assumptions can be made about the state of Utah based on this information?

2.Challenge students to conduct research to find out how their state's demographic profile compares to Utah's. Have students create a chart of their findings and examine the social, economic and political factors that might contribute to demographic differences.

3.How many athletes are competing in the 2002 Winter Olympics? What is the estimated total cost of these Games? What is the total cost per athlete? What have communications companies done to prepare for the Games? How many miles of cable and fiber optics have been installed? How many television sets have been installed in Salt Lake City due to the Games? Why have these accommodations been made?

4.Challenge students to examine the short-term and long-term financial impact of the Olympic Games on host cities. Have students research what the Games have cost Salt Lake City and the extent to which the local economy is benefiting from the Games. After students share their findings, point out that many cities want to host the Olympics because they believe that, although the event may be expensive, it is worth the long-term publicity. Ask students to determine if there is any validity to this claim. Ask them to conduct an informal survey of individuals in the community to find out how many can identify the last two host cities for the Winter Olympic Games. Have students collate their findings. Then ask the following: Do you think there are short-term and long-term benefits to hosting the Olympics? Would you want your city or town to be a host site? Lead a class discussion on students' responses to these questions.

Materials on this site are reproducible for classroom use.