Isn't this just pure speculation and futility? I mean, who knows what airfare in general will cost in 6 years, let alone the premium for the Olympics.

6 years ago, at the height of the recession, I flew JFK-LAX routinely for $199 all in. You can't dream of getting a fare like that now. That's just one example, there are thousands.

It's reasonable to ask the premium over normal fares but no one alive can answer how much a plane ticket (or hotel for that matter) will cost in 6 years. Maybe the economy will crash and prices will be cheaper? Maybe, god forbid, there's another earthquake in Japan and more radiation leaks? Maybe your work out hobby will turn you into a world class athlete and you'll go for free to compete?

FT is full of speculation about nothing but this is really one of the worst offenders I've seen.