IOC Official Says Bid Process Unfair To Smaller Countries
01/10/2007 |
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International Olympic Committee (IOC) official Gerhard Heiberg, head of the 1994 Lillehammer Games, in Vancouver to inspect preparations for the 2010 Winter Games, said that smaller countries are being unfairly frozen out of the Olympic bidding process by larger nations with cash. Heiberg, head of the International Olympic Committee’s marketing commission and an IOC executive board member called for changes to the rules to improve the chances of countries with small populations such as Austria and Switzerland to hold the Games, reports the Globe and Mail.
Heiberg reportedly referred specifically to Russia’s unexpected success at winning the 2014 Winter Games with a “lavishly” funded bid presentation that featured a personal plea from Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. He said Russia didn’t break any rules but (their presentation) cost a fortune.
Salzburg Austria was eliminated on the first ballot and Salzburg officials they would never bid again. Mayor Heinz Schaden said at the time, “now it’s big money that rules the Games”.
Heiberg said “it’s become too hard for these smaller countries to get the Games. We need to change the rules so they can compete on an equal level. It seems a lot of IOC members vote with their head rather than their heart”.
Since Vancouver so far is the largest city to host the Winter Games Heiberg said Vancouver will have to work hard to envelop such a large urban area, with little likelihood of snow, in the Olympic spirit. He added he was not a fan of the decision to hold the Opening and Closing Ceremonies inside for the first time in Olympic history at cavernous, domed B.C. Place.
He said, “I had difficulty digesting that. It’s the Winter Games. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies should be outdoors. But (Vancouver Organizing Committee head) John Furlong and others convinced me that it was the best thing to do. So I have to accept that”.
Heiberg said Whistler, venue of the skiing and sliding events, will have an easier time establishing an intimate Winter Games atmosphere surround as it is by snow-capped mountains. “Callaghan Valley (site of cross-country and biathlon events) is fantastic. It fits so well into nature, I was amazed”.
As for the controversy over remarks about immigrants during a broadcast Sept. 13 when promoter, talent manager and radio editorialist Bruce Allen, a member of the Vancouver 2010 creative team for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, reportedly said “if you choose to come to a place like Canada, then shut up and fit in” which has caused a furor amid calls for his resignation, Heiberg smiled and said, “I smile because we had a similar situation in Lillehammer with one of our team members who stirred up some controversy. So it is familiar to me”.
When asked what happened Heiberg said, “we fired him”.
(Source: Gamesbids.com)
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