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Not sure if anyone had seen this, but Dallas is making a play for the 2024 Olympics.

http://www.dallas2024.org/

Interesting....in the "About" section they list Ford Stadium as one of the venues built since the last time Dallas bid for the games. It could be great for SMU if Dallas got the Olympics and events were held at Ford, Moody, etc. Maybe we could even get Water Pony his new natatorium.

My question is- where would they do all of the track and field stuff? Isn't that usually held at the main Olympic Stadium? Neither the Cotton Bowl or AT&T Stadium have room for a track now, I don't think.

Anyways, I think it would be good for SMU to partner with the Dallas bid and have some Olympic events on campus. Man, those HP people would flip [deleted] over the parking, though.

If they really could host the games without building any new venues, it would be a great thing for our city.

If they have to waste money building one time boondoggles, though... Ehhh no thanks.

Yes, it would be exciting to have Dallas host the 2024 Olympics and, as a result, get the money to build a world class aquatic center.

But, I must temper my enthusiasm, since I would have to bet my hopes for a new Natatorium on the slim chance that IOC "might" award the Summer Olympics to a "to-be" named US city in four years with construction in another two to four years. There is a greater chance that SMU will cancel Men's Swimming & Diving before then, given the economics of college athletics and the greater likelihood that our national swimming program will continue to erode, due to the lack of a competitive training center.

Sorry, this topic is depressing and SMU has shown zero leadership to promote and make a commitment to a new Natatorium. I have promoted and worked on this issue for 15 years and nothing has changed. Administration gives lip service to such as development and passes the 'buck' to friends of SMU Swimming & Diving by saying it is our problem, not theirs. Top Twenty is all we do. Not.

There, I got it off my chest.

Water Pony wrote:Yes, it would be exciting to have Dallas host the 2024 Olympics and, as a result, get the money to build a world class aquatic center.

But, I must temper my enthusiasm, since I would have to bet my hopes for a new Natatorium on the slim chance that IOC "might" award the Summer Olympics to a "to-be" named US city in four years with construction in another two to four years. There is a greater chance that SMU will cancel Men's Swimming & Diving before then, given the economics of college athletics and the greater likelihood that our national swimming program will continue to erode, due to the lack of a competitive training center.

Sorry, this topic is depressing and SMU has shown zero leadership to promote and make a commitment to a new Natatorium. I have promoted and worked on this issue for 15 years and nothing has changed. Administration gives lip service to such as development and passes the 'buck' to friends of SMU Swimming & Diving by saying it is our problem, not theirs. Top Twenty is all we do. Not.

There, I got it off my chest.

Well damn..... Someone get WP a drink. Preferably not water

But I do think that having the Olympics in dallas would be really cool and also good for SMU. We could probably host something or rather in Ford or Moody. Moody would probably be a good venue for Volleyball and such

Water Pony wrote:Yes, it would be exciting to have Dallas host the 2024 Olympics and, as a result, get the money to build a world class aquatic center.

But, I must temper my enthusiasm, since I would have to bet my hopes for a new Natatorium on the slim chance that IOC "might" award the Summer Olympics to a "to-be" named US city in four years with construction in another two to four years. There is a greater chance that SMU will cancel Men's Swimming & Diving before then, given the economics of college athletics and the greater likelihood that our national swimming program will continue to erode, due to the lack of a competitive training center.

Sorry, this topic is depressing and SMU has shown zero leadership to promote and make a commitment to a new Natatorium. I have promoted and worked on this issue for 15 years and nothing has changed. Administration gives lip service to such as development and passes the 'buck' to friends of SMU Swimming & Diving by saying it is our problem, not theirs. Top Twenty is all we do. Not.

There, I got it off my chest.

Has an attempt been made to contact a big money donor directly, someone who could drop the $24M or whatever it takes to build the facility? I've got $20, assuming my daughter hasn't found my wallet

There are a few million dollar donors, but not a ten million gift to ensure administration does not have to reach into its coffers for more than 10% of the development costs. The result: stalemate.

I know it's much more difficult that this, but can't someone put together a 10 minute video of all the greats of SMU swimming, pour a little chardonnay down a big money donor, and get this done? Very frustrating that we're allowing this (and the IPF) to linger.

Houston will get the Olympics before Dallas does...

Houston is a little more international / centralized / metropolitan... and has been trying to get the olympics for years. Houston also has UH and Rice to offer facilities...

although I definitely think it would be good for SMU if Dallas got it.

SMUfrat wrote:Houston will get the Olympics before Dallas does...

Houston is a little more international / centralized / metropolitan... and has been trying to get the olympics for years. Houston also has UH and Rice to offer facilities...

although I definitely think it would be good for SMU if Dallas got it.

Really? I would think Dallas is more international/centralized/metropolitan than Houston. And Dallas can offer SMU and TCU facilities, which right now are better than UH/Rice IMO.

Cowboys Stadium/Cotton Bowl > Reliant/Astrodome
AAC and Toyota are about the same
Not sure about public transportation in Houston, but DART is pretty effective for Dallas
Don't know how hotel rooms breakdown by city, but I think Dallas is more accessible in terms of air travel

SMUfrat wrote:Houston will get the Olympics before Dallas does...

Houston is a little more international / centralized / metropolitan... and has been trying to get the olympics for years. Houston also has UH and Rice to offer facilities...

although I definitely think it would be good for SMU if Dallas got it.

As potential Olympic bidders, Dallas and Houston will need to defend why the hot August weather is not a problem. Candidly, an outdoor competitor in any middle/long distance endurance event will suffer badly in the heat and humidity (primarily Houston) during the peak of summer heat.

Water Pony wrote:

SMUfrat wrote:Houston will get the Olympics before Dallas does...

Houston is a little more international / centralized / metropolitan... and has been trying to get the olympics for years. Houston also has UH and Rice to offer facilities...

although I definitely think it would be good for SMU if Dallas got it.

As potential Olympic bidders, Dallas and Houston will need to defend why the hot August weather is not a problem. Candidly, an outdoor competitor in any middle/long distance endurance event will suffer badly in the heat and humidity (primarily Houston) during the peak of summer heat.

Can't speak for Houston, but Dallas in the summer is a lot more pleasant than a place like D.C. with its horrible humidity (which is also bidding for the games)

I think they'd be mad to consider anywhere in the southern U.S. for the summer olympics. I'd choose Oregon and the Willamette Valley between Portland and Salem.

They can have them at my place. I will put the dogs in a separate area so they will not bite the runners.

If Atlanta can host the olympics I would think Houston and Dallas can do it too! Houston is rated the most diverse city in the country so Houston will beat out Dallas.

I'm all for it, but since when did diversity matter to the olympic committee?