The IOC 2012 Olympic bid evaluation team are now in London. Their evaluation will last for four days, and constitutes the second stop of their five city tour.
Lord Coe, the former Olympic champion, is heading London's bid team. His task is to convince the inspectors London has the desire, and the ability, to host the Games.
The evaluation team, which started in Madrid, will next travel to New York, then Paris before finishing in Moscow in mid-March. The IOC will announce the winning city in Singapore on July 6.
London has spent much of its campaign lagging behind the recognised front runner Paris, which already has a stadium.
London's very obvious Achilles heal is its transport system, described rather politely as "often obsolete"; additionally, Londoners really do not want the Games in the city.
Coe argues that London's transport problems have been dealt with.
Tell that to the hapless commuters who have to suffer the delays, and overcrowding every day!
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Cherie Puts Her Foot In It
British Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife, Cherie Blair, put her foot in it; when trying to make a joke in Australia during her book promotion tour.
The IOC delegation arriving in London, to judge London's worthiness to host the 2012 Olympic Games, will be asking what she meant when she told her audience:
"We are going to win the bid, what does Paris know about culture?"
Mrs Blair also managed to annoy New Zealand diners by mistaking the country for Australia.
The rules about "entertaining" IOC delegates are now very strict, since the money-for-cash scandal provoked by 2002 Winter Games hosts Salt Lake City. The hosts can only provide one "social" event during its visit.
In London the "event" will be dinner with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. There was therefore further confusion, when it was reported that Downing Street would be putting on a "reception". The IOC contacted London for clarification.
In IOC terminology "reception" means food will be served, and following discussions between Lausanne and London the Downing Street event has been billed as a "working meeting".
No food will be provided when the IOC members meet Tony and Cherie Blair, culture secretary Tessa Jowell and London mayor Ken Livingstone.
How very dull!
The IOC delegation arriving in London, to judge London's worthiness to host the 2012 Olympic Games, will be asking what she meant when she told her audience:
"We are going to win the bid, what does Paris know about culture?"
Mrs Blair also managed to annoy New Zealand diners by mistaking the country for Australia.
The rules about "entertaining" IOC delegates are now very strict, since the money-for-cash scandal provoked by 2002 Winter Games hosts Salt Lake City. The hosts can only provide one "social" event during its visit.
In London the "event" will be dinner with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. There was therefore further confusion, when it was reported that Downing Street would be putting on a "reception". The IOC contacted London for clarification.
In IOC terminology "reception" means food will be served, and following discussions between Lausanne and London the Downing Street event has been billed as a "working meeting".
No food will be provided when the IOC members meet Tony and Cherie Blair, culture secretary Tessa Jowell and London mayor Ken Livingstone.
How very dull!
Sunday, February 13, 2005
A Night on The Town
On 23 February the IOC officials, evaluating New York's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, will arrive at the Plaza Hotel.
Carriages will take them to Bloomberg's Upper East Side townhouse for dinner and drinks. The guest list will contain some of New York's finest including Gov. George Pataki and Donald Trump.
The group will then go to the Lincoln Center, where they will enjoy a gala musical evening.
The cost of this night on the town is not known, but will be paid for by the New York organising committee.
The IOC anti bribe rules allow one night "on the town".
Other events are less fun, they include; briefings and question-and-answer sessions with various authorities about emergency health care, marketing, security, transportation, the Olympic Village and other elements of the city's bid.
There will also be tours of the prospective venues, including; Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden and the rail yards of far west Manhattan where the Olympic stadium would be built.
Carriages will take them to Bloomberg's Upper East Side townhouse for dinner and drinks. The guest list will contain some of New York's finest including Gov. George Pataki and Donald Trump.
The group will then go to the Lincoln Center, where they will enjoy a gala musical evening.
The cost of this night on the town is not known, but will be paid for by the New York organising committee.
The IOC anti bribe rules allow one night "on the town".
Other events are less fun, they include; briefings and question-and-answer sessions with various authorities about emergency health care, marketing, security, transportation, the Olympic Village and other elements of the city's bid.
There will also be tours of the prospective venues, including; Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden and the rail yards of far west Manhattan where the Olympic stadium would be built.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Doing Drugs in Paris
It is reported that Paris will change their drug laws; in order to comply with the requirements of the International Olympic Committee, and not jeopardise their bid to stage the 2012 Olympics.
In a statement Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, said:
"Bidding cities whose drug laws are not in compliance with the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency will be changing their laws in order to comply with them."
Seemingly, in the view of the IOC, French drug rules are too strict. France has stringent anti-doping laws, which allow the police access to any sports event to carry out drugs tests and impose penalties.
The IOC rules state that during the Olympics, the only drug tests on athletes are carried out by IOC-accredited officials and drug cheats are thrown out of the Olympics - if they won medals, they are taken away - but no other punishment is imposed.
Bans are decided later by the federations.
In a statement Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, said:
"Bidding cities whose drug laws are not in compliance with the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency will be changing their laws in order to comply with them."
Seemingly, in the view of the IOC, French drug rules are too strict. France has stringent anti-doping laws, which allow the police access to any sports event to carry out drugs tests and impose penalties.
The IOC rules state that during the Olympics, the only drug tests on athletes are carried out by IOC-accredited officials and drug cheats are thrown out of the Olympics - if they won medals, they are taken away - but no other punishment is imposed.
Bans are decided later by the federations.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Cheating Drug Discovered
The discovery of a new highly sophisticated steroid, designed to evade drug testers, has been lauded by Olympic chief Jacques Rogge.
Sports scientists announced the discovery of desoxy-methyl-testosterone (DMT), earlier this month, following an anonymous tip-off.
It seems that this substance was seized by Canadian customs, at the Canada/US border last year.
Rogge acknowledged that:
"There will be more in the future...this is unavoidable because of the bad use of scientific knowledge."
He added:
"The gap is closing between us and them...It is closing because we test more, because we test unannounced and because we test out of competition...We have information...and that is what you need to beat this...".
The head of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) doping control laboratory in Montreal Professor Christiane Ayotte said DMT, which aims to artificially boost strength and stamina, was the most sophisticated substance yet discovered by testers.
DMT is the second designer steroid found, following the discovery of THG (tetrahydrogestrinone) in 2003.
Sports scientists announced the discovery of desoxy-methyl-testosterone (DMT), earlier this month, following an anonymous tip-off.
It seems that this substance was seized by Canadian customs, at the Canada/US border last year.
Rogge acknowledged that:
"There will be more in the future...this is unavoidable because of the bad use of scientific knowledge."
He added:
"The gap is closing between us and them...It is closing because we test more, because we test unannounced and because we test out of competition...We have information...and that is what you need to beat this...".
The head of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) doping control laboratory in Montreal Professor Christiane Ayotte said DMT, which aims to artificially boost strength and stamina, was the most sophisticated substance yet discovered by testers.
DMT is the second designer steroid found, following the discovery of THG (tetrahydrogestrinone) in 2003.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Turin's Budget Crisis
The Italian government has promised to make up the $196M budget shortfall on the 2006 Turin Olympics.
Oddly enough the International Olympic Committee executive board will visit Turin, on Thursday and Friday, one year before the games begin.
Cabinet Undersecretary Gianni Letta's office said:
"We must guarantee the success of Turin 2006 and everything will be done through a very good and healthy administration, which will be inspired by transparency and by accounting and managing rigour..".
The Turin organising committee has been desperately looking for a solution to the budget shortfall, in the overall budget of $1.5BN, which is due mainly to a lack of support from Italian state-owned companies.
The IOC has repeatedly pressed the Italian government to help. However, as a private foundation, the committee is prevented by state law from receiving government subsidies.
This provides yet another object lesson, if one were ever needed, in proving that no one makes money out of the Olympics; apart from the IOC, certain gold medal winners and certain multi nationals.
Oddly enough the International Olympic Committee executive board will visit Turin, on Thursday and Friday, one year before the games begin.
Cabinet Undersecretary Gianni Letta's office said:
"We must guarantee the success of Turin 2006 and everything will be done through a very good and healthy administration, which will be inspired by transparency and by accounting and managing rigour..".
The Turin organising committee has been desperately looking for a solution to the budget shortfall, in the overall budget of $1.5BN, which is due mainly to a lack of support from Italian state-owned companies.
The IOC has repeatedly pressed the Italian government to help. However, as a private foundation, the committee is prevented by state law from receiving government subsidies.
This provides yet another object lesson, if one were ever needed, in proving that no one makes money out of the Olympics; apart from the IOC, certain gold medal winners and certain multi nationals.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
CBC Lose Rights
Canada's first domestic Olympics, in more than 20 years, will be shown on private networks; after a consortium of BellGlobe Media and Rogers Communications outbid CBC for the rights to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and the 2012 Summer Games.
The winning bid was a record US$153-million, with US$90-million going for the Vancouver Games.
The winning bid was a record US$153-million, with US$90-million going for the Vancouver Games.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
The $12BN White Elephant
The cheering crowds of the Athens Olympics are but a fading memory. However, what is most certainly not to be forgotten is the $12BN spent on the construction of the various venues that housed the Olympics.
The only trouble is, the Greek government has not a clue as to what to do with them.
In the rush to build the most expensive and "stunning" venues ever, for the 2004 Olympics, the planners and government of the day forgot to ask themselves the following blindingly obvious question:
"When the party is over, what do we do with these buildings?".
In addition to trying to recoup the cost of the buildings themselves, something that the Greek taxpayer will spend over 10 years paying for, there are the annual maintenance costs of over $100M.
The financial failure of the Greek Olympics should be a lesson to any city, idiotic enough, to want to host these games; namely:
-Don't overspend
-Build something that can be used after the Games
-Don't allow politicians to become involved
The only trouble is, the Greek government has not a clue as to what to do with them.
In the rush to build the most expensive and "stunning" venues ever, for the 2004 Olympics, the planners and government of the day forgot to ask themselves the following blindingly obvious question:
"When the party is over, what do we do with these buildings?".
In addition to trying to recoup the cost of the buildings themselves, something that the Greek taxpayer will spend over 10 years paying for, there are the annual maintenance costs of over $100M.
The financial failure of the Greek Olympics should be a lesson to any city, idiotic enough, to want to host these games; namely:
-Don't overspend
-Build something that can be used after the Games
-Don't allow politicians to become involved
Friday, February 04, 2005
Luge Cancelled
Luge test events on the track for the 2006 Turin Olympics have been called off this weekend, as a result of a number of accidents.
The International Luge Federation has asked for the track to be simplified.
The accidents included:
The International Luge Federation has asked for the track to be simplified.
The accidents included:
- Brazil's Renato Mizoguchi injuring his head during a crash
- Lugers from Latvia, Virgin Islands and Romania crashing at the same corner in the last few days
- Raluca Stramaturaru, of Romania, breaking an arm Wednesday
Gaetano Coppi, president of the Italian winter sports federation, does not think that it is the track to blame; quote:
"It's not the track which must be modified ... but the criteria of the (federation) about the technical level of athletes allowed to compete..".
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Paris in The Lead
Paris is currently in the lead, to win the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
Today, the International Olympic Committee's evaluation commission arrives in Madrid; to conduct its first review of the plans submitted by the five cities, who hope to host the games.
The review process is expect to be completed by March, the final decision will be announced in July of this year in Singapore.
Paris's bid was helped by the fact that the Queen told a visitor to a Buckingham Palace reception, that she expected Paris to win. Then, compounding London's embarrassment, a newspaper claimed that London had "in effect abandoned hope of winning".
Today, the International Olympic Committee's evaluation commission arrives in Madrid; to conduct its first review of the plans submitted by the five cities, who hope to host the games.
The review process is expect to be completed by March, the final decision will be announced in July of this year in Singapore.
Paris's bid was helped by the fact that the Queen told a visitor to a Buckingham Palace reception, that she expected Paris to win. Then, compounding London's embarrassment, a newspaper claimed that London had "in effect abandoned hope of winning".
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Showtime
The IOC's evaluation commission will begin visiting the 5 cities hoping to host the 2012 Olympics, over the next 7 weeks.
The cities on their visiting list are; Madrid, Paris, London, Moscow and New York.
Their findings will be published in May. A poor report will scupper a city's chances.
The cities on their visiting list are; Madrid, Paris, London, Moscow and New York.
Their findings will be published in May. A poor report will scupper a city's chances.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Canada Owns The 2010 Olympics
The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, has called on all Canadians to put their full weight behind the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Speaking in Montreal, Rogge said:
"We believe the Games must be Canadian Games...There must be a sense of ownership in all of Canada, in all the provinces, for these Games...I know our friends in Vancouver want that, too..." .
Rogge is spending 3 days in Canada, meeting with political and business leaders to build support for the 2010 Games.
The federal government has been asked to put up half the money for the Games, the rest will be tapped from private sources.
Rogge expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the 2010 Olympics. However, he warned that the Games were still only in their "honeymoon phase".
The next stage will be more difficult; when roads are blocked, and holes dug, during the construction of the venues.
Speaking in Montreal, Rogge said:
"We believe the Games must be Canadian Games...There must be a sense of ownership in all of Canada, in all the provinces, for these Games...I know our friends in Vancouver want that, too..." .
Rogge is spending 3 days in Canada, meeting with political and business leaders to build support for the 2010 Games.
The federal government has been asked to put up half the money for the Games, the rest will be tapped from private sources.
Rogge expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the 2010 Olympics. However, he warned that the Games were still only in their "honeymoon phase".
The next stage will be more difficult; when roads are blocked, and holes dug, during the construction of the venues.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Coe Laughs Off Depression
Lord Coe has laughed off reports that the London Olympic bid team are "in depression"; it is reported that they believe that Paris will win the right to host the Olympics in 2012.
It is reported that a London 2012 board member said:
"Paris is ahead. We expect them to win."
Lord Coe said, in response to this story:
"Paris is clearly a strong contender, but London's in a very strong position...We have six months to go and it's full steam ahead with a very motivated team. We're moving in the right direction."
It is reported that a London 2012 board member said:
"Paris is ahead. We expect them to win."
Lord Coe said, in response to this story:
"Paris is clearly a strong contender, but London's in a very strong position...We have six months to go and it's full steam ahead with a very motivated team. We're moving in the right direction."
Saturday, January 29, 2005
The Story That Won't Go Away
In case anyone thought that they had been forgotten, despair not!
The dynamic duo of Greek sprinting, Costas Kenteris and Ekaterini Thanou, are scheduled to appear before Greek athletics officials today; they are facing charges of violating doping rules, which led to them being withdrawn from last year's Olympics.
The dynamic duo will be giving testimony before the five-member, Greek athletics federation (SEGAS) disciplinary commission accompanied by their lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos.
This procedure is expected to take around 80 days.
If found guilty by SEGAS, Kenteris and Thanou face a two-year ban.
They have also been charged by Greek police for faking a motorbike accident; which resulted in them spending four days in hospital, at a time when they were wanted for questioning by the IAAF.
The dynamic duo of Greek sprinting, Costas Kenteris and Ekaterini Thanou, are scheduled to appear before Greek athletics officials today; they are facing charges of violating doping rules, which led to them being withdrawn from last year's Olympics.
The dynamic duo will be giving testimony before the five-member, Greek athletics federation (SEGAS) disciplinary commission accompanied by their lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos.
This procedure is expected to take around 80 days.
If found guilty by SEGAS, Kenteris and Thanou face a two-year ban.
They have also been charged by Greek police for faking a motorbike accident; which resulted in them spending four days in hospital, at a time when they were wanted for questioning by the IAAF.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Munich Bid Delayed
The German Olympic Committee has decided to wait before deciding whether to nominate Munich as a candidate for the 2014 Winter Olympics, or possibly the 2016 Summer Games.
This comes as a surprise, as earlier this week Manfred von Richthofen, the head of Germany's umbrella sports organisation DSB, said that Munich would get the "nod".
Von Richthofen said that he believed in a "majority in favour of a Winter Games bid" when the German Olympic Committee were due to decide the issue, at a board meeting yesterday in Frankfurt.
Von Richthofen, who is a member of the Olympic Committee board, said that Germany had a better chance to win the Winter Olympics than the Summer Games.
This comes as a surprise, as earlier this week Manfred von Richthofen, the head of Germany's umbrella sports organisation DSB, said that Munich would get the "nod".
Von Richthofen said that he believed in a "majority in favour of a Winter Games bid" when the German Olympic Committee were due to decide the issue, at a board meeting yesterday in Frankfurt.
Von Richthofen, who is a member of the Olympic Committee board, said that Germany had a better chance to win the Winter Olympics than the Summer Games.
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