Madrid joins race for 2016 Olympic Games
31/05/2007 |
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Reuters reports that Madrid is now Spain’s official candidate for the 2016 Summer Games nearly two years after its failed bid for the 2012 Summer Games.
Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon told a news conference at the Spanish Olympic Committee headquarters in Madrid Wednesday, “our bid will be radically new”, adding “this project is not starting from scratch and objectively we have more of a chance of winning the bid than we did for the 2012 Games”.
He added, “that was an experience that, just as it is with athletes, far from discouraging us has transformed us and encouraged the birth of a new candidature”.
Mercedes Coghen, head of Madrid 2016 said, “today is important, but it’s not like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders. Now comes another important step – filing our candidacy with the IOC”.
The Associated Press reports the mayor said the city was completing new swimming and tennis venues and looking to expand and modernize existing sporting facilities. He said local citizens would be brought into the attempt to bring the Olympics to one of Europe’s most “cosmopolitan” cities.
Potential candidates have until September 13, 2007 to submit their intentions to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and will have to produce a detailed bid plan by February 12, 2009.
The election for a 2016 host city will take place in Copenhagen on October 2, 2009.
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