While the championships were underway,
the eyes of the entire world were focused
on Fort Worth.
People were speaking Chinese, Russian and
Polish in a city that usually talks with
a Texas drawl.
A lot of convention center has been set
up for the next performance and the
echoes of the competition have faded
away.
Somehow you have to wonder if it was all
worth it for.
It only it took about three million
dollars worth of time and equipment to
put on the massive production.
The Chamber of Commerce raised two
hundred and sixty thousand dollars to
bring performances like this one to the
city.
The pile of bills that is leftover was
expected to be a little deeper than the
chambers pile of cash.
Getting the whole thing together was very
complicated and very expensive.
For example, the podium where they
performed came from Canada
that was used in the Montreal Olympics.
And that's a specified podium that you
have to have.
And it had to be shipped here from
Canada.
The scoring system is from Japan, the
Seacombe scoring system, and that had to
be shipped in the chamber, says
it will collect additional donations to
make up for the shortfall in its budget.
Its officials don't think they'll have
any trouble covering their debts.
The U.S. Gymnastics Federation got the
receipts from the tickets and the TV
coverage.
Organizers say the local money was simply
a good investment in terms of publicity.
Local merchants, hotels and even
restaurants have had very few complaints.
Just about everyone got into the act.
All that's left now is to throw away the
leftover cigaret butts and figure out
what to do with Thadeus Fan Mail.
Charles Healey, Channel 5 Action News,
Fort Worth.