The Gold Medal Winner – Opinions From E. Curtis Johnson

The Big Apple isn’t biting and the city of brotherly love gave the cold shoulder to the 2024 Olympics. Multiple cites in several countries have also passed on hosting the Olympics for the same reason: too high of a cost for too little return to build Olympic facilities.

What if sponsorships and naming rights paid for Olympic facilities and events? The Post Office advertises. Why couldn’t the Internal Revenue Service sponsor the javelin throw? What’s more appropriate for an IRS sponsorship than a cold metal shaft?

But, I digress. The Olympics are already commercialized. Corporations are plugged as “Proud Olympic Partners” and sportswear logos are on every athlete. Stadiums across the world are named after companies and products. Rhode Islanders watch sports at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, NASCAR fans cheer for the Dr. Pepper Toyota Camry, and NFL fans watch the Patriots in the Gillette Stadium.

I’m E. Curtis Johnson. If cities can’t pay for stadiums why not let Cheetos or Muselex sponsor the Jamaican bobsled team? Oh, and the Olympic rings? They went to Jarrod!