Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer criticized an International Olympic Committee (IOC) report that questioned Salzburg’s bid for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games low level of support at a news conference in Guatemala City. He said, “the people of Austria want to bring the bid to the country. More than 80 per cent have given us an enthusiastic ‘yes’. The political support cannot be greater and we are definitely united on the issue. There is no doubt in my mind that Salzburg is the best and safest ticket among the three for the Winter Olympics”. He added, “we can do this. We have the experience, we have the venues, we have the volunteers… We’re the third safest country in the world”.
In a report issued a month before the vote the IOC’s evaluation commission described Salzburg’s concept as “excellent” but highlighted several shortcomings, reports the Associated Press. According to the report the IOC’s public opinion survey showed Salzburg’s bid had 42 per cent in support of the Games and 45 per cent against. In Austria as a whole 61 per cent said they support the bid, according to a poll taken late last year.
Gusenbauer was also offended with the IOC report’s criticism that the bid underestimated the resources required for security operations. He said, “we are one of the safest countries in the world. We provide security but do it in a different way. We want to be discreet, we don’t want to embarrass people and not provoke counteractions”.
Gusenbauer said Salzburg can’t compete with the money thrown behind rival bids from Russia and South Korea but has the ready-built venues, safe conditions and passionate crowds that the others can’t offer.
He said, “is the vote for the sake of Olympic ideals or is it for geopolitics. We do not need to have the Olympic Games for a special purpose for us. We think we can offer something special – more emotion and more passion. This is what the Olympics so desperately needs”.
Gusenbauer said, “my tradition is not to judge the other’s bid. It should be a level playing field. But in life one can overdo things. If the competition is about money, then we have no chance. That we know. Our bid is playing on a different level”.
He added, “there are two types of candidates and two different concepts. We have everything the others have to build. We are offering what money cannot buy. It is the magical setting that took centuries to be created…winter sport in Austria – this is part of our DNA”.
