Our World Cup bid launched, now let's back it

SO - the World Cup bid is up against a potential 12 stadia hurdle - http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/funding-situation-clouds-nations-world-cup-bid/2009/09/16/1252780358786.html The new Melbourne stadium has the foundations to go above 40K......but, the pretty bubble roof won't allow it. What a cock up that's been. SA and WA state govts a doing their best to avoid committing their own funds. Skilled Stadium Robina is too small. It looks like K.Rudd is going to be asked to put up a heap of dosh.....more stimulus anyoney?? Perhaps - Frank and Clive can raid their own personal piggy bank and build a privately owned dedicated soccer stadium or two - - if it's such a good idea.

Thanks Pipps, but I was going strong at Uni by then! And for the record Bear no you didn't because a) the Internet barely existed; and b) I don't think we knew each other too well back then. But I can honestly say at the time that I thought it seemed a lot of money to spend for dubious benefits, something the sclerotic performance of the Sydney and NSW economies since 2000 have confirmed.

Bear what? back in 1993??? Kurt was probably still in primary school!!

Kurt, did we hear you economic "concerns" in the lead up to the IOC campaign for a Sydney Olympics?

I think it's fair to say that generally speaking, the debt outlives by a long way the immediate benefits of such extravaganzas. But as they say in the classics: memories are forever; the debt is there for even longer.

Midfielder - by profession no, by academic background yes in part. Enough at least to recognise that when special interest groups (e.g. IOC, FIFA, F1, industry lobby groups etc.) start talking about 'potential economic benefits' it's best to hold on tight to your wallet.

Kurt You must be a Econometrician .... are you...

Some really quite bizzare responses to my postings questioning the economic benefits of hosting major sporting events. Some degree of cognitive dissonance would appear to be taking place. Anyway, to those actually interested in some serious economic research on the topic I would recommend reading the papers in question. As I said, they are by no means completely negative about such events, and do make some interesting attempts to quantify some of the more subjective, 'touchy-feely' type benefits such as heightened international profile, public morale etc.

Lazza - they sit their children and grand children upon their knees and tell tales off this far off land (past the edge of the world as their parents knew it), where weird creatures abound and the local sport was where the creatures bounded weirdly, and they did it in a colossuem like structure that looked younger than that of Rome but it's age, somewhere subsequent, seemed hard to determine,... ...and to think this land was considered culturally barren,....nay, ......these appeared the lands of the pagans unleashed from the religious and cultural servitude suffered by the peasants of Europe and it's nearer colonies. Here was the land of the free (free of the other land of the free's lack of real freedoms)...... .... and so it went into legend, symbolised by a game without an offside, and an Olympics Closing ceremony that allowed for the first time all the athletes to mingle together on the vast arena....... okay, so, one part of the story remains in place today around the world, and, perhaps like carols by candle light - perhaps it's only MElbournians who remember every year (or 4) that it was a Melbourne 'invention'.

Did somebody say France???

Andrew I don't claim to be an expert, but this is what Wikipedia says: "Rugby union is the second most popular team sport in France after football and is actually the dominant sport in most of the southern half of the country. " No one actually said they were the same size in France, my point was that rugby is relatively big in France, and thus a similar consideration may have arisen in 1998. Interestingly, the Southern half of France is home to some pretty big hitters in Ligue 1.

Lazza in fairness, even before 1998, France had a decent WC pedigree (coming 3rd twice, and 4th twice - the latter both being in the 80s) From memory, I think the legendary Fontaine still has the record for the most goals in a single World Cup campaign - a ridiculously high number, something like 13????

The French are like Sydneysiders though, not very passionate about sport. They only won the World Cup because of the huge immigrant population.

"I am sure the World Cup will be looked to be played Sept/Oct Window, probably more like Late Sep kickoff" While that suits Australia's sporting comps, it's during the European season. No chance. (Shame, because it's probably the best time, climate-wise.)

Lazza Rugby also pretty popular in Paris aswell. Stade Francais consistently sell out home games and most French incoming Tests are played in Paris. Plus in next year Top 14 Stade will be joined by their former Parisan foes Racing Metro.

I do believe the 1956 Olympics were held at the MCG How many are still alive that remember it?

You would be kidding yourself if you thought they were the same size. That said, Rugby in France runs at the same time as Soccer in France so it wouldn't have been affected.

Pippinu, Rugby is big in France but it's heartland is confined to the south west of the country. I know this for a fact because the Wallabies played up north (Lille?) a while ago. The commentators made the point that they were trying to expand the game outside it's traditional areas.

I'm wondering whether France 98 affected rugby in any way - rugby is pretty big in France, at a guess, I would say only marginally smaller than soccer.

I am no A-League follower. Had a look at the previous world cups, and it seems the window is start as early as late May, and finish late July. Which means it will affect AFL/NRL during the season. Helps that other countries major sports are Soccer in general and/or don't share the same stadiums as soccer use.