The USOC inspection team is in San Francisco evaluating the city’s chances of representing the United States as a candidate for the 2012 Summer Games.
On day one, the team, some members wearing their navy blue Olympic Committee blazers, was shuttled from Spartan Stadium to the Compaq Arena and other sites in a big black bus. They hear presentations, and asked some questions about funding for an expanded swim centre and San Jose’s diverse population.
Some former local Olympians came out to meet the group at each stop, but the media was not allowed to ask any questions.
San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau president John Marks, who will meet the task force today, said, “we have been told this is a business trip for them and this is not to be viewed as a love fest”.
Tuesday morning the inspection team was to sit through bid presentations in San Francisco at the Del Monte headquarters top floor boardroom overlooking the bay. They will also meet San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.
Later today the team was to lunch with 25 local business leaders and then head to the Cow Palace, the potential site for boxing competitions; the San Mateo Export Center (media centre); Moffett Field (Olympic Village); and Stanford Stadium (the Olympic stadium).
