Bidding for the 2016 Games: Tokyo Changes, Madrid Promotes Tolerance, Gymnastics for Chicago, Rio in London

Tokyo Big Sight, the new location for the MPC/IBC in the city’s bid for the Games. Venue Changes for Tokyo

Tokyo 2016 says it will change the planned location for the Main Press Center (MPC) and International Broadcast Center (IBC).

Formerly set for a new high-rise development on the site of the current Tsukiji fish market, the MPC/IBC complex will now be located at Tokyo Big Sight, a super-modernistic convention and exhibition center located further east.

Bid CEO Ichiro Kono told Around the Rings that the change is beneficial for the media as the new venue would be closer to venues such as the Olympic Stadium, Olympic Village and other venues on the east side of city, rimming Tokyo Bay.

The move from the Tsukiji site also removes the Olympics as a factor in the delicate negotiations taking place to find a new home for the fish market, the largest and most famous in the world.

The change for the press facilities is one of several venue changes approved Friday at a meeting of the Tokyo 2016 board of directors.

Kono said the changes involving basketball, cycling, gymnastics, handball and wrestling are a result of consultations with international federations.

For cycling’s road race, the Imperial Palace Garden is the new starting point for a route that includes more elevation and greenery along the way.

Gymnastics would consolidate all events into a new arena on Dream Island in east Tokyo. Basketball, formerly at the iconic Yoyogi arena built for the 1964 Games, will also move to Dream Island. Handball will take the Yoyogi venue, while wrestling is now moved from Buddokan to Big Sight.

“We are still in discussions with Ifs; we want to be able to give them the best venues for their sports,” said Kono, indicating that other venue changes could result from those talks.

Madrid Bid Encourages Tolerance

The leader of the Madrid 2016 bid is part of commemorations Nov. 16, declared by the U.N. as the International Day for Tolerance. Madrid 2016 CEO Mercedes Coghen speaks at an event for International Tolerance Day. (Madrid 2016)

Mercedes Coghen was one of the participants this week at a meeting in Madrid with football club leaders, the Madrid minister for sport and the heads of ten other sports in the region. The group previewed a film featuring 46 athletes from outside of Spain who compete for Madrid teams, all endorsing the slogan: “I like Madrid. Madrid is tolerance. I am from Madrid.”

“Madrid is a tolerant city, although we have seen some disgraceful bouts of intolerance carried out by a small number who don’t represent the general common mind of the people of Madrid,” said Coghen in a statement.

She’s referring to some nasty taunts against black football players during matches in Madrid.

“The Games for 2016 are the Games with the Human Touch and we are working on the Generación 16 program with sport as the best weapon against intolerance,” Coghen said.

The film prepared for International Tolerance Day will be screened in schools over the coming months.

Chicago Lands Gymnastics Event

The 2009 Tyson American Cup gymnastics invitational is scheduled for Feb. 21 at the Sears Centerin the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates.

Formerly known as the American Cup, the invitational traditionally draws some of the top international gymnasts. The 2008 event was held in New York City.

The Tyson American Cup was announced Nov. 13 by Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago, the agency establishedbythe city to lure and promote international sports events in the city.

“By hosting these championships we have the opportunity to help develop the sport of gymnastics internationally, to celebrate the gymnasts’ accomplishments, to showcase their talents and give them the opportunity to experience all the greatness that the Chicago metropolitan area has to offer,” said Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

Gymnastics titan Bela Karolyi attended the announcement.

“The American Cup has always been an indicator of great Olympians, and I’d love for Chicago to host the Games on the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics victory in 1996,” said Karolyi.

Rio 2016 at London Sports Management Conference

Rio de Janeiro 2016 International Relations Director Mario Cilenti took part in this week’s Sports Event Management Conference in London, discussing the Olympic bid, as well as the 2007 Pan American Games, as they relate to sponsorship.

“One of the fundamental guarantees for the success of the Pan American Games was the support we had from renowned companies, like Atos Origin and Swiss Timing,” Cilenti is quoted in a press release.

“These companies, which are also Olympic Games sponsors, supplied us with technology and a specialized workforce, and this legacy is important for Rio de Janeiro and Brazil to be able to host other large sports events, like the 2016 Olympic Games.”

“The Rio de Janeiro bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games could be the opening of a door to a vast market, not just in Brazil, but in all of South America,” said Cilenti.

Written by Ed Hula

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