London 2012 withdrew incentives that were announced last week in response to IOC President Jacques Rogge’s comments and as a show of sensitivity, a bid spokesperson told GamesBids.com.
“The decision to withdraw was made at a meeting this morning after reflecting on the issues from last week. We want to show that we listened very carefully to Rogge’s comments and in light of that and the importance of our commitment (to the IOC) we made the decision.”
Rogge said last week that he didn’t want last minute offers to start a bidding war that could be reminiscent of the bribery scandal that plagued the IOC last decade.
The spokesperson said that everything described in the bid books still stands.
“The Olympic Charters were an attempt to pull out principles from the bid book and put them on the table in more detail.”
The bid books submitted by London 2012 in November last year do have budget items that describe transportation and other costs for National Olympic Committees, but lack the details that the IOC may have been expecting.
However, it was likely the high profile nature of the announcement that described cash incentives spooked the IOC Ethics Commission – and London is attempting to make amends.
“We want to show we are good people to work with and are sensitive to the issues.”
