Here in Richmond BC, for the 2010 Olympics, "exploring the bid" and deciding to build games infrastructure,  meant various city council members and staff,  could continually travel to all cities that ever hosted a winter olympics to check out their facilities.  For years after, taxpayers continue to pay for trips overseas to see how various cities retrofitted their speed skating oval for ongoing use.

It was and is, for city staff and council, the travel gift that keeps on giving.