Toronto Star reporter Jim Byers says the IOC will want a “conservative” Canadian choice to host the 2008 Summer Games.
During the Sydney Games the problems with Athens 2004 were out there for the world to see. IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch has said the Games might be “in danger”.
Paul Henderson, head of Toronto’s failed 1996 bid and a member of the IOC said “you can’t get any more sure than Toronto. We could stage the Olympics right now. The more trouble there is in the world in general, and the IOC in particular, the better off Toronto will be” said Henderson.
And we all know about the disasterous television ratings NBC had during the Games because of the 15-hour time difference. Sources say NBC would love to have the Games in Toronto.
But the Chinese aren’t going away that easily. Reports say they’ve hired at least one large public relations firm to help improve their image between now and next July when the IOC votes in Moscow for the 2008 host city.
And Paris, another formidable opponent, got a great rating from the IOC in technical capabilities.
Meanwhile John Bitove met with Samaranch on Saturday and filled him in on what’s been happening with Toronto’s bid. “I brought him up to speed on what’s happening with our plans in general and specifically on the status of the waterfront development. He seemed rather pleased. It was a very good meeting” said Bitove.
