They stood side by side on a warm, sunny morning, with Toronto’s waterfront in the background. That’s where Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Ontario Premier Mike Harris and Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman officially announced that their governments were each contributing $500 million to revitalize Toronto’s waterfront. The announcement will have a big impact on Toronto’s 2008 Olympic bid and give it a tremendous boost.
In a press release Prime Minister Chretien said “I am here again today because moving forward together on the revitalization of the Toronto waterfront is such a crucial element of Toronto’s plan to stage the greatest Games in the history of the Olympic movement”.
Following the announcement, Toronto’s bid committee President and CEO John Bitove said “this is the news we’ve been waiting for. All three levels of government have delivered on their promise. We now have the commitments necessary to build a winning bid”. Bitove added, “I don’t believe anything of this magnitude has ever been undertaken by a Candidate City. This will be a symbol of our commitment to hosting the Olympics in an organized and enjoyable fashion. It will raise Toronto’s position considerably in the view of the IOC membership who will vote to select the Host City for the 2008 Games in July 2001”.
David Crombie, Chair of TO-Bid said “this is a great day for Toronto and Toronto’s Olympic Bid. The waterfront vision will build on Toronto’s sporting infrastructure”.
