Thursday, November 12th 2009

By jeff green

While the Toronto elite is split between celebrating and loathing their successful bid for the 2015 Pan American Games, Hamilton is poised to be the biggest winner in the event that will etch David Miller’s legacy in Toronto.

To some, Miller will be remembered as the garbage strike mayor who has cemented a serious bill in Toronto’s future. The Pan Am Games, just like every other sporting competition of its nature, will never stay on budget. As it stands, the bid calls for nearly $500-million in private and municipal funding. The Feds and the province are on the hook for another $500-million each, and Miller sweetened the deal by reminding us that if (read: when) the costs exceed the estimates, the province will foot the bill.

So it’s a win-win right? Well, not exactly.

Forgive my candor, but the Pan Am Games are a B level competition. The recognition, reputation and allure that was Toronto’s main motivation for the games is not there anymore. It’s not heavily covered, visited and, as sportswriter Gare Joyce puts it, the Pan Am Games are “a devalued sports brand or franchise.”

Once the peak of track and field, most would agree that the European circuit is now at a higher level than the Pan Am Games.

Considering those facts, Toronto has bid and won B level games at a price that far exceeds the benefits – and that’s why Hamilton should be happy.

Hamilton won’t take the blame for bid; it was David Miller’s baby. We’ll remember Miller when we (as a province) have to pay back the colossal cost of the games. Hamilton, however, will get a new Ivor Wynne, a velodrome, light rail transit, an improved pool and improvements to Copps, among other benefits. Sure, Toronto’s name will be on the logo, but it will also be on the bill. It’s like a party without the clean up; what more could you ask for?

It also represents a step forward for our chances at an Olympic games. Before the selection of Rio de Janeiro as the site for the 2016 Olympic Summer Games, they hosted the Pan Am Games in 2007. It didn’t bring them any sort of prestige or status, but it did strengthen their Olympic bid, and provide an infrastructure for athletic success when they do host the games.

But before you jump on the Toronto 2020 or 2024 bandwagon, I doubt the Olympic Committee will repeat the United States’ Atlanta – Salt Lake City 8-year separation selections for one country. Vancouver’s winter games will undoubtedly nix any hopes at a summer games in Toronto.

The silver lining in all this is the combination of the gains for Hamilton and the future success of Canadian athletes. A step forward for some; but a leap back for Toronto.

Tags: 2015, Copps, Editorial, hamilton, Ivor Wynne, LRT, Pan Am Games, Pan American Games, Toronto