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IOC President Visits New York 2012

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge was in New York Thursday and discussed the city’s Olympic bid with its Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Rogge also met with Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff and Jay Kriegel, the executive director of NYC2012.

Doctoroff, who headed the city’s 2012 Olympic bid before he became deputy mayor said, “it wasn’t a meeting to lobby them, it was more of a get-to-know-you session. Our goal is to develop a long-term relationship”.

During the meeting the city laid out its plan, said Doctoroff, and answered questions about the process.

Doctoroff said New York City’s chances of winning the 2012 Games are “very good. There is a great enthusiasm. There is a great unity between the different actors – the mayor, the governor, the trade unions, the different representatives of the different communities. So, this bodes very well”.

But Rogge quickly pointed out that New York will face “tough competition” from a slew of major cities. “So”, he said, “it’s going to be a battle royal”.

Rogge said the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001 will not influence the International Olympic Committee’s decision.

“The bid will be judged on its quality, because we have a responsibility toward the athletes. While the world will remember what happened here…that will not be a decisive factor”.

He also said the recent resignations within the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) will have no effect on the city’s bid, and he doesn’t believe U.S. politics will have any bearing on the New York bid.

“I’m adamant. We are dealing with a sports issue. We are dealing with an organizing committee. Furthermore, if there might be any reservation, the vote is in July of 2005. That’s still a long way”.

Doctoroff called Rogge’s remarks very encouraging. “We just hopefully want him to feel the passion and excitement that New Yorkers have for this”.

Rogge also met with acting USOC president Bill Martin to talk about the turmoil within the organization.

He said, “I’m confident that a solution will be found for the USOC. I would hope that things would be finalized by the fall of this year”.

Meanwhile, Rogge believes a war in Iraq could not affect the 2004 Olympics. He said Athens has no plans yet to change its security for the Olympics. Athens organizers have $600 million budgeted for security.

He added that it’s too early to talk about the possible effect a conflict would have on the Athens Games. “It’s still 17 months away”.

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