Most analysts agree the London 2012 Olympic Games were a sporting success, but there is less consensus about their legacy.
Getting the party started —
Most analysts agree the London 2012 Olympic Games were a sporting success, but there is less consensus about their legacy.
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The permanent venues have all been re-purposed, including the £700 million ($914 million) Olympic stadium, now occupied by Premier League soccer club West Ham United, which paid just £15 million ($19.5 million) and £2.5 million ($3.3. million) a year in rent for it.
New occupants —
The permanent venues have all been re-purposed, including the £700 million ($914 million) Olympic stadium, now occupied by Premier League soccer club West Ham United, which paid just £15 million ($19.5 million) and £2.5 million ($3.3. million) a year in rent for it.
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The Aquatics Center, designed by award-winning architect Zaha Hadid, now hosts other sporting events and offers subsidized entrance to local visitors.
Open to all —
The Aquatics Center, designed by award-winning architect Zaha Hadid, now hosts other sporting events and offers subsidized entrance to local visitors.
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The former athletes' village has been converted into housing, with a total of 8,000 homes being built around the park.
Olympic housing —
The former athletes' village has been converted into housing, with a total of 8,000 homes being built around the park.
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Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park also includes a wetland bird sanctuary and nature trail.
Lush retreat —
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park also includes a wetland bird sanctuary and nature trail.
kieron monks
Construction is ongoing around the park, with a new commercial district and cultural quarter being built, as well as residential homes.
Next steps —
Construction is ongoing around the park, with a new commercial district and cultural quarter being built, as well as residential homes.
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Transformation extends beyond the park, with Westfield Stratford -- the largest mall in Europe -- launched in the neighboring borough of Newham.
Consumer heaven —
Transformation extends beyond the park, with Westfield Stratford -- the largest mall in Europe -- launched in the neighboring borough of Newham.
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But the Olympic development has dramatically increased prices and pressure on housing in the surrounding boroughs, which are among the poorest in London. Homelessness has risen sharply in nearby Newham.
Locked out —
But the Olympic development has dramatically increased prices and pressure on housing in the surrounding boroughs, which are among the poorest in London. Homelessness has risen sharply in nearby Newham.
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Clays Lane housing co-operative was one of the communities moved out to make way for the Games. Over 5,000 jobs were lost due to Olympic construction, and 25 businesses closed.
Moved on —
Clays Lane housing co-operative was one of the communities moved out to make way for the Games. Over 5,000 jobs were lost due to Olympic construction, and 25 businesses closed.
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The 1976 Montreal Olympics is known as being the Games that caused most damage to the city, which was left $1.5 billion in debt and on the verge on bankruptcy.
Big debt —
The 1976 Montreal Olympics is known as being the Games that caused most damage to the city, which was left $1.5 billion in debt and on the verge on bankruptcy.
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By contrast, Barcelona 1992 achieved a profound regeneration of the city, including of the now famous seafront.
Brighter future —
By contrast, Barcelona 1992 achieved a profound regeneration of the city, including of the now famous seafront.
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Greece spent around $11 billion on the 2004 Athens Games, but a lack of planning led to most of the stadiums falling into disrepair, and in one case providing a homeless shelter.
White elephants —
Greece spent around $11 billion on the 2004 Athens Games, but a lack of planning led to most of the stadiums falling into disrepair, and in one case providing a homeless shelter.
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All of the recent Olympics have involved displacement and evictions. The worst case was Beijing 2008, where ancient hutongs were demolished, and as many as two million people were displaced.
Expendable —
All of the recent Olympics have involved displacement and evictions. The worst case was Beijing 2008, where ancient hutongs were demolished, and as many as two million people were displaced.
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This has continued in Rio with the often violent clearance of favela towns.
Olympic victims —
This has continued in Rio with the often violent clearance of favela towns.
YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters in Rio have vented their anger at the expense and social impact of the Olympics. In some cases, riot police have used tear gas to disperse angry crowds.
Backlash —
Protesters in Rio have vented their anger at the expense and social impact of the Olympics. In some cases, riot police have used tear gas to disperse angry crowds.
TASSO MARCELO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Cities such as St. Moritz, Munich, Stockholm, Hamburg, and Boston have rejected the chance to host the Summer or Winter Games, in the face of strong public opposition. <br /><br />As criticism mounts of the impact of the Games, they face an uncertain future.
End of the Games? —
Cities such as St. Moritz, Munich, Stockholm, Hamburg, and Boston have rejected the chance to host the Summer or Winter Games, in the face of strong public opposition.

As criticism mounts of the impact of the Games, they face an uncertain future.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images