But seriously, in the first summer Olympiad post 9/11, the issue of security - for athletes and visitors - is now top of mind for this, and all international sporting events in the foreseeable future. What this significant, additional line in the budget means for future host cities (five times more being spent on security in Athens than at Sydney) is that there will be fewer bidders. For Athens, the fear of potential terrorism and security threats has affected advance ticket sales. Tourism is down on last year and cynicism regarding completed venues has punters voting with their feet.
With the exception of the increased security element -none of this is new and is by no means unique to Athens - there is no more a question mark hanging over Athens than there was over Sydney at the same time four years ago.
Winning the right to host the Olympics starts off as a dream and gradually becomes a fearful nightmare for the organising committee, right up until the closing ceremony. The entire world looks for fault. The legacy rests somewhere between the two, depending on your perspective. Every Olympics, summer or winter, the reputation of the IOC and the relevant host city and its people come under fire. Every two years, Brand 'Olympics' attempts a makeover. Every two years, the IOC reiterates its message (usually with the assistance of professional expertise) of solidarity and everyone involved is mandated to promote the Olympic spirit. As time passes, so does the afterglow from the previous closing ceremony. All eyes look towards the next city and what kind of Games they will deliver. There's no such thing as a perfect host city, so stop throwing stones at the Athenians! It is invariably the host city and its inhabitants, which save the IOC's face.
Cost-benefit analyses aside, the economic impact of hosting an Olympic Games plays out over a much longer period than many are prepared to consider.
In recent memory, compare Barcelona or Seoul as cities before and after.
Look at the infrastructure left behind after Atlanta. Look forward to Beijing and to either New York, London, Paris, Madrid or Moscow, one of whom will host the 2012 Games. Lucky them.
We clamour aboard the Olympic brand wagon on many levels. The Opening Ceremony has us sitting just a little bit taller as we inwardly (or outwardly) cheer our national team and its flag. The products allowed to carry the Olympic rings' logo are infused with national as well as Olympic magic.
We applaud heroes and underdogs with equal appreciation, ours and those of other nations. The spectacle is so much bigger than the sum of its parts that we are often left with a feeling that it doesn't really matter who "won", but that we were entertained. Is this sport? Maybe the modern Olympics is so synonymous with politics, commercialisation and lofty ideals that ours is not to question anymore. Just sit back and enjoy the show.