The five cities bidding for the right to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games had their last chance Wednesday to impress upon the International Olympic Committee why their city should host the 2012 Games.
Paris was up first. French President Jacques Chirac was there in person to tell the voting members of the IOC that “the heart of Paris and the heart of France are beating in unison in the hope of becoming Olympic ground in 2012”. He said, “Dear friends…I shall vouch for this. You can put your trust in France, you can trust the French, you can trust us”.
“France is intent on offering the world unforgettable Olympic and Para Olympic Games”.
The IOC members were shown a slick movie created by celebrated film director Luc Besson depicting a romantic vision of France, which showed some of the city’s world famous landmarks. The film was reportedly met with rapturous applause from the IOC members.
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepon assured the IOC that security would be paramount.
Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe said, “if you bestow your confidence on us, our utmost energy and compassion will be devoted to creating an excellent Olympics. Paris needs the Games, Paris wants the Games, Paris has a love of the Games”.
New York’s presentation came second. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, “our city needs these Games in 2012. In our city’s darkest hour, we asked ourselves ‘can we recover?’ Yes, we can recover, we will rebuild and we must continue to welcome everyone. That spirit will be give to your Games”.
New York’s presentation took 45 minutes and featured President George Bush and former President Bill Clinton appearing on video, Hillary Clinton and Muhammad Ali.
The presentation started with a video featuring an array of residents formerly from countries all over the world praising the city stressing the multicultural aspect of New York.
New York 2012 founder and Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff said, “why hasn’t New York, a city that welcomes everyone, a city that loves to compete, ever hosted the Olympic Games? Now, after years of work, after listening to you and changing our plans, we are ready”.
Doctoroff said following New York’s presentation that one IOC member told him it was the best sales pitch in 20 years. IOC member Mario Pescante of Italy said, “New York’s was very emotive – not arrogant at all”.
London’s one-hour presentation was opened by Princess Anne who had a message from the Queen offering each individual IOC member an invitation to the palace.
Bid leader Sebastian Coe said London was focused on young people. “London’s vision is to reach young people all round the world to connect them with the inspiring power of the Games so they are empowered to choose sport”.
In a video presentation Prime Minister Tony Blair, who left Singapore to host the G8 summit in Scotland, said by video, “our vision is to see millions of young people participate in sport and improve their lives. London has the power to make this happen”.
The Prime Minister promised that work on London’s 2012 Games would begin within 48 hours if its bid were successful.
The bid also focused on leaving a legacy for sport by building an Olympic Park to regenerate a rundown area of London’s east end.
Moscow’s President Vladimir Putin surprised everyone speaking publicly in English for the first time by video telling IOC members to vote for the city which bridges European and Asian cultures.
He said, “this is a time when our country, having come through deep economic transformations, has ever-increasing possibilities”.
He urged IOC members to give Moscow a historic chance to hold the 2012 Games, and that Russia would be a supporter of the Olympic movement regardless of how the vote went.
Moscow promised to prepare all Olympic facilities by 2010 said Moscow 2012 sports director Mikhail Svatkovsky Wednesday.
Madrid’s presentation came last. Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told IOC members that “Spain is a nation of sportsmen and sportswomen and our dream is to unite the world in 2012. We Spaniards pursue values that unite people and make them better citizens. Spain is on good terms with our Mediterranean neighbours and all countries in the world. Above all, Spain is committed to peace, the environment and the fight against poverty”.
Madrid’s bid included stylish video clips featuring flamenco dancing, Spanish beaches and city life with the sounds of the guitar in the background.
Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., son of the former President promised magical Games. He said, “these magical Games would be an incredible celebration of humanity. After all our hard work, we are ready”.
