Associated Press reports that Sao Paolo presented its plan Friday to the Brazilian Olympic Committee in the hope it will become the Brazilian candidate and host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Sao Paolo is competing against Rio de Janeiro for the Brazilian candidacy.
Latin America’s largest city has pledged to spend billions of dollars to clean polluted rivers, build stadiums and expand its subway system. Sao Paulo is Brazil’s financial and industrial hub.
Sao Paulo city officials think they have a good chance of becoming Brazil’s 2012 candidate.
Nadia Campeao, the city’s top official dealing with sporting events said, “Sao Paulo has the economic, technological and financial clout, and the biggest and best hotel and hospital network in Latin America. We have what it takes to vie for the Olympic Games with big cities anywhere in the world”.
According to Associated Press Sao Paulo would spend $1.2 billion to build stadiums, an Olympic Village and other facilities. Another $1.5 billion would be spent during the Games.
The city estimates it would get back $1.8 billion from ticket sales, sponsorships and sales of television rights.
Sao Paulo already has plans to spend $10 billion on infrastructure improvements that would make it more attractive to visitors and athletes. The money, which will be spent whether or not Sao Paulo wins the bid, is for projects such as the cleanup of two sewage-filled rivers, the subway system expansion, and highway widening.
Rio has already announced plans to spend $100 million for seven new sports facilities and an Olympic Village in the fashionable beach district of Barra da Tijuca.
Campeao brushed off suggestions that Brazil might not get the 2012 Games because it will likely host a major international sporting event only two years later. The 2014 World Cup soccer championship is being held in South America and so far Brazil is the only candidate.
The International Olympic Committee will make its final decision in Singapore on July 6, 2005.
