I disagree. Every country needs to still measure. I rather it be through sporting events then armed conflict. I still think these types of events for the art and cultural movement they allow. Sort of like how Japan actually made "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" into a culture lesson of sorts with the rewards always touching on the Japanese culture. Interesting side effects.
I'm surprised that you don't see the correlation between sports and war. Sports are little more than war games--they always have been. Way back when, before sports were purely "for fun" they were used as training exercises. Many of those sports are the same as they are today. Praising the call of peace while trying to be the best doesn't exactly work, as competition in most forms tends to be the antithesis of cooperation.
The Olympics only continue today as a way for countries (or states, as it tends to be far too often) to make money. The show brings in plenty of tourism, which probably lasts far longer than even the event itself. The host locations dump plenty of cash into the event, but the returns (both monetary and not) far outweigh the investment. There are so many better things that could be done with this money that would actually help people, instead of just make them feel as if the world can get along for a few days.
Oh, and let's not forget the propaganda aspect either, as Hitler so adequately showed off at the Berlin Olympics... We won't get into that though, for fear of starting a political discussion.
