New York is going to be pulling out all the stops said NYC2012 founder and New York’s deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff. “We’ve planned it down to the minute. This is the most important test we’ve faced so far, by far”.
On Friday planned presentations and dinner menus were finalized and 2012 Welcome banners were hung in strategic spots around the city to prepare of the 13-member International Olympic Committees Evaluation Commission arrival in New York Sunday night. The inspection team will be evaluating New York’s bid from Monday to Friday of next week.
Lazaro Benitez, a NYC2012 spokesman, said, “this visit is important as it will be the only time that we will have the IOC visiting New York to assess our plan”.
According to Newsday the Grand Ballroom at the Plaza Hotel, where the delegation will stay, was being decked out with high-definition plasma televisions, gold-painted chairs and easels. Staff members were expected to wear Olympic-themed uniforms adorned with NYC2012 lapel pins and the hotel will also be sporting its Olympic colours with a large flag greeting all visitors.
On Monday a figure-skating exhibition will be held at the Rockefeller Center rink, reports Newsday.
During their visit the delegates will visit Madison Square Garden for a reception.
Horse-drawn carriages will take committee members to the Upper East Side town house of New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg for dinner and drinks. The group will also be treated to a special jazz performance at Lincoln Center.
