Whether or not Moscow becomes the host city for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, the city plans to build 15 sport facilities.
Vitaly Smirnov, Vice President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced at a press conference that the largest indoor skating rink would be commissioned in September and will host world skating and figure skating championships in 2005.
The sport complex could host table tennis and weightlifting competition at the 2012 Games, and Moscow would also host the sailing and modern pentathlon world championships, and the finals of the Euroleague ULEB Cup.
The largest of the proposed facilities are football stadiums Spartak in Tushino and SCKA, each accommodating 50,000 spectators, a baseball stadium accommodating 25,000 people, a track and field stadium and a swimming pool for 15,000 people.
According to Smirnov no funds would come from Moscow 2012’s budget because the IOC covers 60 per cent of all expenditures.
Earnings from the sale of television broadcast rights will exceed $2 billion (U.S.) which will be transferred to the IOC. The organizing committee gets 15-20 per cent of that sum.
Meanwhile, Alexander Zhukov, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government, said every Russian will benefit financially if Moscow hosts the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He forecast that about 70,000 new jobs would be created and the Games would increase incomes and help to solve urgent social programs.
He said the Games would help attract new investment to the country and increase salaries and pension payments.
Another benefit from Russian hosting the Games according to Zhukov is that the entire world would see the new Moscow and the new Russia and will contribute to growing “prestige of our country with the world community”.
