While top contenders in the 2012 Olympic Games bid are closely following International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules regarding international marketing, Moscow is taking a more aggressive approach.
At the Moscow Challenge this weekend, there were clear references to Moscow’s Olympic Games bid by the organizers, something that is forbidden by the IOC as outlined in the applicant City manual.
“The Moscow Challenge is a first step on the way to the Olympic Games that Russia hopefully may host in 2012” wrote Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov on the first page of the event program. There were also several other references to Moscow’s bid by Russian officals, according to the Associated Press.
At the World Athletics Championships in Paris this year French organizers very carefully avoided any direct references to their Olympic bid, including the removal of pre-existing signage.
During the 2010 Winter Olympic Bid campaign, Vancouver very carefully adhered to IOC rules but barely defeated longshot PyeongChang which had reportedly “bent” the rules on a few occasions. PyeongChang officials were asked to remove a large banner that was hung at the Salt Lake City 2002 Games before the international marketing phase had begun.
Bid cities for the 2012 Games will be permitted to campaign internationally and at IOC-selected events after their complete candidacy files are submitted to the IOC on November 15, 2004.
