New York, London And Paris were among the five cities making presentations on their bids for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games Saturday at the Oceania National Olympic Committees General Assembly in Brisbane Australia.
New York Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff, who is also NYC2012 founder, and NYC2012 Director of International Relations Charles Battle, addressed the assembly.
Doctoroff stressed that New York City’s plan to host the 2012 Games is distinctly different because it puts the Games at the centre of the city and because every athlete will have a hometown crowd. He outlined four specific programs including permanent training sites, a travelling coaching seminar, an Athlete Concierge Program during the Games to assist Olympians explore the many cultural attractions of the city, and a homestay program.
He reinforced several commitments made by New York’s bid – a no-strike pledge, an Olympic Family Visa Program, Olympic Signage, an Olympic Hotel Network, and an Olympic Hospital Network.
A video of Gold Medal Olympian Catherine Freeman, on which she sent a passionate message, was played at the start of London’s 2012 bid presentation.
In the video Freeman said that London’s combination of existing world famous sporting venues and cultural landmarks such as Wimbledon, the new Wembley, Lords and Hyde Park, along with a new Olympic Park, would provide the best venues and experience for athletes at the 2012 Games.
Sebastian Coe, chairman of London 2012 said “we have put competitors at the heart of our plans and we will guarantee a place in the village – at the heart of the Olympic Park – for every athlete and official for the whole Games…”.
Coe said staging the Games in London, one of the world’s most popular and fashionable cities for young people, would also enhance the Olympic Movement by getting more young people across the world inspired and involved in the Olympic Movement.
London’s presentation included addresses from Craig Reedie, Chairman of the British Olympic Association and Keith Mills, Chief Executive and International President, who told delegates that the London bid had negotiated legally binding agreements that would guarantee fixed and fair prices for hotel accommodation with no minimum stay requirements.
The Paris’ 2012 presentation included Bertrand Delanoe, Mayor of Paris and President of Paris 2012, IOC member Guy Drut, and Paris 2012 CEO Philippe Baudillon, all of whom spoke in English.
The presentation included state of the art software and 3D visuals. Delanoe and Drut were able to demonstrate what Paris would look like in 2012 should it win the Games. Outlining the innovative concept of “One Village, Two Clusters”, Paris 2012 detailed how the plan will ensure the utmost convenience to the athletes and Olympic family, leaving the heart of the city open for celebration.
