Businesses in New South Wales won A$1bn worth of contracts from the Sydney games and an additional A$300mn was generated by local business. Over 55,000 people received employment related training. If London hosted the Olympic games, thousands of UK firms could be involved in supplying everything from construction to manufacturing, catering to merchandise.
(http://www.sportengland.org/2012_uk.htm)
Boost to tourism
The tourist industry won't just boom during the four weeks that the Olympic and Paralympic games actually take place, but for months and years before and after the event.
Price Waterhouse Coopers believe the Sydney games gave Brand Australia A$6.1bn worth of additional publicity and over A$6bn worth of spending from 1.6m visitors between 1997 and 2001. Between 1993 and 1996, after Sydney had been named as the host city for 2000, its convention and exhibition sector grew with the number of international visitors increasing by 78%.
(http://www.sportengland.org/2012_uk.htm)
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Olympic Villages, will provide market and affordable housing units after the Games are complete.
(http://www.wastebuster.gov.bc.ca/popt/olympic_benefits_bg.pdf)
INCREMENTAL PUBLIC REVENUES
An economic study of the financial impact of the 2010 Olympic projects in combination with the expanded Convention Centre reports incremental tax contributions − largely from tourism, hospitality and conventions − of nearly $2.5 billion over 20 years.
(http://www.wastebuster.gov.bc.ca/popt/olympic_benefits_bg.pdf)
GLOBAL PROMOTIONAL EXPOSURE
Analysts have concluded that, as host of the 2000 Olympics, Sydney received $6 billion in free publicity − essentially a $6 billion global advertising campaign for Australia tourism, at no cost. Vancouver and British Columbia tourism, small business and companies in emerging industries would receive similar world-wide exposure.