Spanish President Believes in Madrid
A statement from the Madrid 2020 Bid Committee says Spain’s president "reaffirms" his support for the campaign.
On Friday, Alejandro Blanco, Madrid 2020 president, and Ana Botella, Mayor of Madrid, met with Mariano Rajoy at the Moncloa Palace.
Following the meeting, Blanco said Rajoy believes the Games will serve as a "catalyst role in the economic activity in Spain."
Spain is mired in economic malaise with record unemployment.
Blanco added that Rajoy offered his "full support" for the bid.
The statement added Rajoy "showed his willingness to support its development through concrete steps once the capital officially becomes a Candidate City."
Madrid and the four other cities bidding for the Games are currently Applicant Cities. The IOC Executive Board will decide which of the five advance to the candidate phase at a May 23 meeting in Quebec City.
Baku Lands Corporate Sponsors
Baku 2020 secures the sponsorship of three major companies in Azerbaijan – the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Azerbaijan Airlines and Azercell, a mobile services operator.
"The government of Azerbaijan has already done a lot to transform the country into a prosperous place in the region," Rovnaq Abdullayev, President of SOCAR, said.
"Baku’s Bid to host the Olympic Games in 2020 provides us with a wonderful opportunity to accelerate this transformation by investing into development of world class sporting and tourism facilities, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle for both young and old."
Baku 2020 CEO Konul Nurullayeva noted in a press release announcing the sponsorships that the bid has overwhelming public, governmental and now corporate support.
Salt Lake Selects Advisor
Grant Thomas will write Salt Lake City’s report to Utah Governor Gary Herbert on bidding for the 2022 Olympics.
Thomas served as SLOC vice president for venues as well as a member of the IOC Evaluation Commission for 2018. He currently sits on the board for the 2022 exploratory committee but would have to resign that position for this $35,000 job.
"We probably have one of the most capable people in the world literally in our midst," SLOC CFO Fraser Bullock was quoted by The Deseret News. "I don't think we could find anybody more qualified, more able to do this work than Grant."
Written by Ed Hula III.
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