Hosting the Olympic Games is a major economic challenge for any country in terms of forward planning and budgeting. However, the end result can also bring many benefits such as a long-term upturn in tourism, renewed or increased investment from offshore businesses, and new trade links. The competition also increases publicity for a country considerably during the lead-up period, while the sporting action itself hides many behind the scenes business meetings and corporate hospitality events. The recent announcement by Belgium's SCR Sibelco that its silica sand has been selected and shipped for the forthcoming Olympic beach volley-ball competition in Athens (see p.10) is just a tiny example of how different parts of the overall Olympic competition can boost mineral supply. For industrial mineral suppliers, the main boon involved in the run-up to an Olympic Games is the huge upturn in construction activity.
展开▼
