Anita DeFrantz, the U.S. senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, told New York 2012 organizers that she doesn’t think a Vancouver 2010 Games would diminish the chances of New York City getting the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Because both cities are in North America there are thoughts that the IOC would prefer not to award the consecutive Games to the same continent.
DeFrantz said, “I don’t bet. I would never want to – what is that word – handicap the chances of New York City. There have been numerous times when there have been two European cities in a row. And we had Lake Placid in 1980 and Los Angeles in 1984”.
But DeFrantz told New York 2012 to be prepared. “It is a massive task for this city. I always start with how the athletes are being treated. You can’t have Olympics without the athletes. They must be the centre. How will the athletes arrive in New York? How will they get to the athletes’ village? How will they be credentialed? How will they get to transportation”?
Meanwhile New York is warming up for its 2012 bid by holding a series of international sporting events this summer.
The fencing World Cup is June 12-15; the World Archery Championships July 14-20; the New York City Cycling Championship Aug. 3; the New York City triathlon and ITU New York City World Cup Aug. 10; and the World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling Sept. 12-14.
