In every iteration of the Olympic Games, host cities endeavor to invest in projects that moonlight as gifts for future generations.

This year in Paris, the River Seine received a $1.5 billion dollar power-wash with the intention of opening up the heart-of-Paris waterway to public swimming for the first time in more than a century.

Travel back to Helsinki 1952. That year, one of the lasting Olympic legacies was the creation of the lonkero — the Finnish Long Drink.

Ahead of the Games, organizers over-planned to welcome 60-70,000 visitors from around the world. Seeking an innovative solution to properly slake the thirst of the hoards of expected Olympic fans, the long drink was commissioned. The cocktail of gin, grapefruit and water was bottled en masse to make life easier on bartenders. Voilà.

In actuality, the country of just over four million people saw significantly fewer visitors than expected for the Games. Still, all photo and video evidence reveals fan-lined streets for races and packed stadiums and arenas. And it took a tremendous effort from the country to pull off the feat of hosting an event on the world stage in the year 1952. The Games came as Finland was recovering from a tumultuous two decades.

A period of prohibition was deemed ineffective and state-owned alcohol stores began operation in 1932. The 1940 Olympics were set for Helsinki, then canceled on account of World War II. Post-war food rationing was still in effect two years after the war ended in 1947, when Finland re-bid to host the 1952 Games. And during the Olympics, such a luxury as coffee was only available via coupon ... because it had been donated by the country of Colombia.

But there were plenty of long drinks. Fast forward 72 years and there are plenty of long drinks readily available all over the world.

The secret is out. The gift to future generations from the 1952 Olympics has gone global. An Olympic tradition carries on.

Kippis!