Austria’s ratification of the UNESCO Convention against Doping in Sport has come at an opportune time – during the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Evaluation Commission’s inspection visit to Salzburg of the city’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Dr. Heinz Jungwirth, the General Secretary of the Austrian Olympic Committee (AOC) said, “the aim of the convention is the improved combating of doping in sport. International cooperation between the contracting states is to be intensified as part of the convention in order to create as much uniformity as possible in the standards for the international fight against doping”.
Dr. Heinz Schaden, Mayor of Salzburg, said the ratification has come “at a very good time to show the Evaluation Commission and the IOC that Austria is highly committed to the fight against doping”.
Johann Maier, a Salzburg National Council delegate and board member for the Austrian Anti-Doping Committee, said Wednesday, “the Council of Ministers’ positive resolution regarding the UNESCO convention sets the scene for the quick ratification of this international legal contract by the Austrian National Council. The Federal Government thereby gives ongoing support to the Salzburg bid to host the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games”.
Meanwhile Austria’s Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer told reporters Friday that he is backing Salzburg’s 2014 bid, stressing the region’s experience, security and atmosphere. He said, “I think that what Austria and what Salzburg can offer is something you can’t buy for money. We can offer atmosphere, we can offer charm and we can offer professional organization that has been proven several times because organizing huge international sports events is a tradition in our country”.
Gusenbauer said, “we will do the utmost to guarantee and to finance with our partners the Olympic Games here”.
Finance Minister Wilhelm Molterer, also the country’s vice chancellor, said that necessary steps regarding financial guarantees and funding have been taken, adding that “very open” discussions had taken place with the IOC team on the topic.
He said, “we have also very good preparations on security…on the custom side and also the important question of infrastructure investment”.
Salzburg Governor Gabi Burgstaller said the Olympics would bring the city improved infrastructure, including better roads. The athletes village would be used as vacation homes for families who can’t afford hotels or as accommodation for young people, she said.
