Bidding for the Games: Chicago, Madrid Controversies, Annecy 2018

Chicago Leans on Politicians, Avoids Burris

Chicago 2016 is emphasizing its ongoing relationships with President Barack Obama, Mayor Richard M. Daley and Sen. Richard Durbin in the wake of renewed controversy surrounding newly-appointed U.S. Senator from Illinois Roland Burris.

"We're not concerned with how our strong political backing has been perceived between the Mayor, President Obama and Senator Durbin," bid spokesman Patrick Sandusky tells Around the Rings. "We're confident in the political leadership of our bid. Their support of our bid has been an asset and will continue to be an asset."

Burris, who wore a Chicago 2016 bid pin on his lapel when he was appointed last month to fill the seat in the U.S. Senate once held by President Barack Obama, is under pressure to resign.

Since taking office, Burris has admitted that he discussed political fund raising with the man who appointed him, then-Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. Blagojevich was kicked out of office last month by the state legislature over charges he tried to sell the Obama Senate seat.

Burris had been one of about 300 members of the Chicago 2016 Bid Committee, but left the committee when he entered the Senate. Elected officials cannot be on the committee, which serves an advisory role.

If he leaves the Senate, would he return to the committee?

"We're not going to speculate on the Senate term of Sen. Burris," Sandusky said.

Madrid 2016 Denies Damage from Valverde Scandal

Madrid 2016 officials have denied that their bid will be damaged by the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, which involves Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde.

Italian newspaper Il Giornale reported that the failure of the Spanish judiciary to act on a doping allegation against Valverde lodged by the Italian Olympic Committee, would cause the IOC to step in.

Valverde won the UCI Pro Tour and two stages of the Tour de France and is one of Spain's most prominent athletes.

Il Giornale said that some of the biggest names in cycling had been "carpeted in the wake of Spain's biggest doping scandal, except for Spanish nationals. If Spain will not make it clear what is behind the Operacion Puerto, the IOC could exclude Madrid from the 2016 race."

But Madrid 2016 officials said they did not believe the case would cause the IOC to disqualify the bid.

The Operacion Puerto case has been re-opened and is still going through the legal process within the Spanish judiciary. Spain's strict new anti-doping laws were not yet in effect in 2006 when law enforecent raided laboratory of Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes, revealing doping products that included bags of blood. The raid appeared to implicate about 60 cyclists.

The Spanish judiciary has said that the evidence, such as the blood bags, relating to an alleged offense in Spain cannot be used to investigate an alleged offense outside the country.

Annecy Mayor Says His City Knows Winter Sports

The mayor of the French mountain town of Annecy tells Around the Rings his city is the right choice to make as a candidate for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

"We have the knowledge, the experience hosting winter sports events," Mayor Jean-Luc Rigault said in Barcelona where his attending this week’s Global Sports Forum.

Rigault also says there is great desire on the part of Annecy to host the Games. He says a survey of residents 25 years of age and under returned a 100 percent approval for the idea of holding the Winter Olympics.

Located in the Haute Sovoie, which encompasses landmark Mont Blanc, Annecy is one of three French cities vying for the support of the French NOC. Grenoble and Nice are the others. The NOC will make its decision on March 18. The vote by the IOC for 2018 takes place in 2011.

Annecy can count on the support of the ski resort of Morzine, which is taking part in a March 1 event that’s part of an Annecy 2018 roadshow meant to inform people in the region about the bid.

Indian Olympic Chief: India a Good Candidate for 2020 Olympics

The president of the Indian Olympic Association said his country will be a strong candidate to host the 2020 Olympics.

Suresh Kalmadi made the comments at the Pune District Amateur Athletic Association awards ceremony on Sunday night.

"India will host the 2010 Commonwealth Games at New Delhi, which will also create a great impact in our bid for the 2020 Olympics," Kalmadi was quoted as saying by local media.

In recent days, Kalmadi has had to fight off criticisms over cost overruns and construction delays in the hosting of the Commonwealth Games.

According to a report in the United News of India news agency, Kalmadi claims "a majority of countries had expressed their will to back India in its bid for the 2020 Olympics." It is unclear whether this means countries have formally endorsed the bid, or just the concept of the bid.

Madrid Sports Arena Draws Crowd

The Madrid 2016 proposed venue for judo and taekwondo attracted 11,500 fans for the final of a four-day basketball tournament.

At least 10,000 fans attended each of the other seven games at the Palacio de los Deportes, with Tau Cerámica from Vitoria beating Unicaja Málaga for the Spanish Cup 100-98.

"The event demonstrates once again that many of Madrid's venues are ready for the Olympics in 2016," said Mercedes Coghen, Madrid 2016 bid chief.

She added that 77 percent of Olympic sports have venues that are ready or under construction.

The new venue for tennis, which is called the Magic Box, will open in May.

New Green Initiative in Chicago

The Climate Group, in collaboration with Chicago 2016 and the City of Chicago has launched Forward Chicago, a public-private partnership.

Forward Chicago seeks to help the city achieve its greenhouse-gas emissions reduction targets, "green" the bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and leave an environmental legacy for all Chicago residents.

In June 2008, The Climate Group and Chicago 2016 introduced 21st Century Green Centers, geographically targeted areas surrounding proposed Olympic and Paralympic venues. According to a statement, Forward Chicago furthers this initiative by providing an ongoing platform for the program's partners and participating companies to work collaboratively to make Chicago the "greenest, most environmentally friendly city in the country."

Companies that have signed on as Forward Chicago Founders include Motorola, Exelon, Allstate, Abbott, Baxter International Inc., HSBC-North America, ComEd, MWH and Corn Products International, Inc.

"The environment has always been a top priority for the City of Chicago, the bid committee and the Olympic Movement, and we want to continue to employ innovative programs and become a model for our country and beyond," said Lori Healey, vice president of Chicago 2016. "The powerful combination of business, non-profit and government partners will heighten the development of 21st Century Green Centers around the proposed Olympic and Paralympic venues."

Written by Karen Rosen.