While sifting through the deluge of news stories coming out of Moscow this week, TSG has managed to pull out some “bits and pieces” that may be overlooked.
IOC presidential contender Pal Schmitt of Hungary denied saying in an interview that he favoured Beijing for the 2008 Games. Schmitt said, “I’ve been a diplomat for 18 years and I would never make such a foolish statement before the vote is taken. The only person I favour is me — in the race for the IOC presidency”.
Toronto bid officials have stocked their display booth at the IOC hotel with bottles of Dasani water from Canada, complete with a wrapper featuring the TO-Bid logo.
Beijing’s bid team has staked out one section of the lobby of the hotel frequented by the IOC delegates. It’s under a giant wooden and gold clock that features a giant rooster that cock-a-doodle-doos every hour. And the Parisians can usually be found hovering about. Everyone is keeping a close eye on each other, but there are also secret meetings in other locations, private dinners and late-night drinks.
IOC member Toni Khoury of Lebanon has received 50 letters from Lebanese-Canadians saying he could come and stay with them in Toronto, if the city gets the Games.
And finally, TO-2008’s CEO and President John Bitove watched his son greet Pal Schmitt of Hungary with a hug and a single kiss on the cheek. Bitove said laughingly, “I’ve told him before, a kiss on each cheek”.
