Did you know . . .
that China has already spent $42 billion to host the Olympic Games, most of the spending going toward roads, subways and airports.
According to Chicago’s Metropolitan Planning Council and the Wall Street Journal: "In order to accommodate the 300 sporting events, 16,000 athletes and coaches, and more than 9 million spectators, host cities must enact aggressive transportation plans, with a considerable transit investment to provide fast, reliable options for the worldwide event. It is estimated the Chinese government spent more than $42 billion to host the Olympic Games. A large majority of that budget was allocated for transit investments, which included the addition of 10 miles of bus rapid transit (BRT), purchase of almost 500 electric, hybrid and natural gas-powered buses and taxis, as well as 2,000 new diesel buses to their existing routes. The city recently opened a new $2.3 billion subway line and light rail line to connect the airport and the city’s central transportation hub. Olympic ticket holders will be given free rides on all Beijing’s public transportation."