A Year Later, British Columbians Say 2010 Olympic Winter Games Still Worth It
Vancouver, BC - As the anniversary of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games draws near, results from a recent Ipsos Reid online poll show that majority of British Columbians believe that the Games were an overwhelming success, and that hosting the Games was worthwhile.
Close to a year after the Opening Ceremony to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, the vast majority of British Columbians (81%) agree that the Games were a success-- polling numbers that have not diminished since the end of the Games, when over 80% were very or somewhat excited about the Games.
However, a smaller majority (six-in-ten) British Columbians say that hosting the Games was worth it, and a sizeable minority feels it wasn't (28%). In particular, perceptions that it was worth it are higher among younger residents (70% among 18-34 years, 61% among 35-54 years, and 56% among 55+years), and not surprisingly, among Metro Vancouver residents who were closer to the venues (67% vs. 51% of rest of British Columbia).
Steve Mossop, President of Ipsos Reid West comments, "One year after the party the impending hangover never really materialized. Our polling numbers have remained overwhelmingly positive, despite aftermath questions about the economic cost-benefit of the Games."
One of the major factors that contributed to the high overall success rating of the Games is the performance of Canadian athletes, with eight-in-ten (85%) British Columbians thinking the Games were "excellent" or "good" in terms of the number of medals won, strong ratings of the Games as a sporting event (82% excellent/good) and as an inspiration for future Canadian athletes (81% excellent/good). The Games were also rated very high for building national pride and identity (79% excellent/good).
However, British Columbians are somewhat divided as to whether Vancouver was able to leverage the Games to create lasting legacies (56% excellent/good vs. 38% fair/poor) while sentiment is decidedly negative towards the long-term benefits from hosting the Games (40% excellent/good vs. 50% fair/poor) as well as the financial costs of the Games (29% excellent/good vs. 63% fair/poor).
Despite the skepticism around the costs and legacies, the Vancouver 2010 Games created many lasting memories for the citizens of British Columbia. As expected, results show that the Men's Hockey Gold overshadows all other memories by a significant margin. Here are the top five moments or memories from the Games for British Columbians:
- Men's Hockey Gold (25%)
- People/Crowds/Spirit (12%)
- Opening Ceremony (8%)
- Alex Bilodeau - First Gold Medal in Canada (7%)
- Death of Georgian Luger (5%)
These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global BC. The results of this poll are based on a sample of 700 British Columbians where quota sampling and weighting are employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual BC population according to Census data. Quota samples with weighting from the Ipsos online panel provide results that are intended to approximate a probability sample. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls because they are based on samples drawn from opt-in online panels, not on random samples that mirror the population within a statistical probability ratio. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error. However, an unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100% response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/-3.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had the entire adult population in British Columbia been surveyed.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Steve Mossop
President
Ipsos Reid
(778) 373-5001
[email protected]
About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey- based market research group.
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