Former Mayor Calls Vancouver Olympics Investment Worthwhile

"The city gained critical infrastructure that laid the groundwork for prosperous years to come, claims Harcourt, and he reads the balance sheet for the Olympics the same way.

In fact the billions of dollars spent are so clearly worth it, he has "nothing to say" to people who claim the Games are a tax payer rip-off. But please, Harcourt says, don't call Vancouver a world class city."

Harcourt was mayor during Expo '86, the last major international spectacle hosted by the city, which many say was instrumental in making Vancouver one of North America's most livable cities.