The Olympics

The Olympics

Text

News, information and stories about the Olympic Games in Athens 2004 and the Olympics in general up until 2007.

Friday, June 10, 2005

Plan B From New York

It seems that all is not yet lost, for the plans to build a stadium in New York for the 2012 Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee is going to allow New York to submit a Plan B, for the Olympic Stadium, thereby "pulling New York's nuts out of the fire" in respect of its desire to host the 2102 Games.

Giselle Davies, IOC spokeswoman, is quoted as saying:

"The IOC would allow an alternative proposal..It would need to go to the executive board for review [and] approval."

Davies noted that, as a "general rule", the city's bid was closed when the IOC evaluation commission completed its visit to New York in February.

The use of Plan B, contradicts Mayor Bloomberg's insistence that an alternative was impossible.

On Monday, a state panel rejected plans to build a stadium on Manhattan's West Side. This gave rise to Mayor Bloomberg suggesting that New York withdraw.

Quote:

"There's no chance the stadium could be built elsewhere and help us with the Olympics because what the rules of the IOC are - you have to submit a plan..It can't have backups or anything. It can have one plan, and you have to follow that plan."

As yet no details as to what Plan B actually is, have been provided.

It is also suggested that the bid committee might go to Singapore with a modified Plan A, that would include the West Side stadium and an alternate site.

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Games Morale Boost For French

Philippe Baudillon, the leader of Paris's bid for the 2012 Olympics, is reported to have said that France needs the games to boost morale; after the French rejected of the EU constitution.

Quote:

"If Paris gets the games, it will be a fantastic moment for France to imagine the future very positively, and we need that,".

Adding:

"The people who said 'no' are frightened by the future...Getting the games would be a very positive moment for the country."

What utter nonsense.

The French rejected the EU constitution because their economy has been wrecked by the straight jacket of the Euro, and by the restrictive labour laws imposed by their own government.

Winning the Olympics will only put further strains on their already recession bound economy.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

IOC Evaluation Report

Paris is still front runner, one month before the vote for the 2012 Olympic Games host.

In an evaluation report issued by the IOC Paris received the best overall review; London, New York and Madrid also got positive ratings, while Moscow was criticised.

The report focused on technical issues including; venues, financing, transportation, accommodation, security and public/government support.

The report acts a guide for the 117 IOC voting members, who vote in Singapore on July 6.

The report noted Paris's sports concept, "excellent accommodation," "high capacity and quality" transportation systems and "well-documented" budget.

It also noted that Paris had "fully taken into account" the IOC's framework for controlling the cost and size of the Olympics.

London was praised for the "significant sports and environmental legacies" involved in its plans for regenerating the city's rundown east side.

However, the IOC noted that "careful planning would be required to ensure that all facilities are completed on time." It also said that London's improved transportation plans were workable if "fully delivered" before 2012.

In reality, the transport system in London is unlikely to be upgraded in time for the Olympics; there is no way that the IOC can take that risk.

The report noted the uncertainty in New York over its proposed $2BN stadium on Manhattan's West Side.

Madrid was criticised for having hotels too far out of town.

Moscow was criticised the most:

"A lack of detailed planning in the candidature file and background information made it difficult for the commission to evaluate the project,".

Monday, June 06, 2005

Paris's Final Push

Paris went for broke yesterday in the race to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Champs-Elysees was transformed into a sports arena lined with wrestling mats, a running track and a swimming pool.

Thirty-eight Olympic sports were on display in Paris, one day before the International Olympic Committee issues its key report evaluating the five candidate cities.

The contest for the 2012 Games enters a final stretch Monday, there will then be 30 days left until the IOC's decision about which city will be the host.

Paris is confident that it will win.

Madrid also held a party.

However, not everything went according to plan. A flag measuring 1 1/2 miles long and 21 feet wide, claimed to be the world's largest, ripped in two when 1,500 volunteers unfurled it along the boulevard.

Castellana Boulevard was closed to traffic as athletes demonstrated their sporting prowess among children, alongside musical performances, clown shows and other festival events to show the city's "Olympic Passion."

The city also staged a round of the Triathlon World Cup in the morning, and hosted an exhibition handball match in the afternoon to raise funds for victims of the Asian tsunami.

Three of Madrid's landmark buildings also have been illuminated with the colors of the five Olympic rings for the celebrations.