A BBC televised debate between the five cities bidding for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games has been cancelled, reports Agence France Presse (AFP).
The five cities – Paris, London, Madrid, New York and Moscow – had all agreed in principle to the broadcast, which was to be shown worldwide on BBC World to 200 countries, subject to IOC approval.
New York, London and Paris were enthusiastic about the broadcast. New York spokesman Mike Moran said it was “obviously a good thing for all of the cities”. London 2012 spokesman Mike Lee said, “it’s good to have an open and friendly airing of this important debate”. And Paris 2012 official Jerome Lenfant said, “it’s a fair opportunity for everyone to state their arguments”.
Although the IOC had set down “draconian” restrictions on the debate, it decided last week to pull the plug. Sources told AFP that the IOC did not like the format planned by the BBC, which had been in discussion with the IOC from December to win approval for the program
The IOC Ethics Commission has virtually barred all forms of promotion, causing anger among some senior bid officials reports AFP. Embassies cannot be used to push the bids and IOC members have been warned from attending any function at an embassy of any of the five countries involved in the bid.
Meanwhile the IOC reportedly insists it did not pull the plug on the debate, a spokesperson saying that they were simply following the rules by the Ethics Commission about what bid cities can or cannot do.
