The 2014 Sochi Olympics are on track to be the costliest ever -- with the Russian government shelling out an estimated $50 billion on the Winter Games and related infrastructure. The plan was to spend $12 billion.
Sochi —
The 2014 Sochi Olympics are on track to be the costliest ever -- with the Russian government shelling out an estimated $50 billion on the Winter Games and related infrastructure. The plan was to spend $12 billion.
photo: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
Greece spent lavishly on the 2004 Athens Games, with final budgets landing billions of dollars in the red.
Athens —
Greece spent lavishly on the 2004 Athens Games, with final budgets landing billions of dollars in the red.
Photo: Oil Scarff/Getty
Prior to the games, Montreal mayor Jean Drapeau predicted boldly that "the Olympics can no more lose money than a man can have a baby."
Montreal —
Prior to the games, Montreal mayor Jean Drapeau predicted boldly that "the Olympics can no more lose money than a man can have a baby."
Photo: Tony Duffy/Allsport
The organizers of the Nagano Olympics in Japan made big promises about increased tourism in the wake of the Games. But after the closing ceremony, the crowds never really came back.
Nagano —
The organizers of the Nagano Olympics in Japan made big promises about increased tourism in the wake of the Games. But after the closing ceremony, the crowds never really came back.
Photo: Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty
Lake Placid hosted the Games in 1980, when Olympic budgets were decidedly more modest than recent efforts.
Lake Placid —
Lake Placid hosted the Games in 1980, when Olympic budgets were decidedly more modest than recent efforts.
Photo: Todd Bissonette/AP
Albertville hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics, and went 135% over budget.
Albertville —
Albertville hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics, and went 135% over budget.
Photo: John Gaps/AP