Whether they occur in the sweltering heat of summer or the frigid winds of winter, it is almost impossible not to be swept up in the excitement and pageantry of the Olympic Games. From the colorful pomp and circumstance of the opening ceremonies to the dramatic conclusions of the closing events after the final medal is presented, the Olympics elevate the human experience and represent something good and noble. For those cities fortunate enough to host Olympic events, the impact of doing so can be powerful and long lasting, both in terms of positive exposure to the world and economic gain from the billions of dollars involved in construction projects and visitor spending.