Madrid 2020: Economic Woes Will Not Kill Off Bid; Latest from Istanbul, Tokyo

(ATR) Madrid 2020 tells Around the Rings the bid will feel no impact from Spain’s new austerity measures to be announced today, claiming the government remains fully committed to the city’s Olympic ambitions.

A spokeswoman said suggestions that the government might be forced to axe the bid this week or very soon amid the country’s worsening economy was "out of the question".

"The bid is going to go on. It is a country project," she said, underlining that it was a national priority.

"Madrid 2020 is not in a position to discuss the budget restrictions decided by the government," she added. "We are not aware of the austerity measures which will be announced today".

"Madrid 2020 has full private and public financial support from regional and central Spanish government during the period of the candidacy, as well as in coming years until 2020 in the hypothetical case that we are chosen as Olympic city," she emphasized.

Madrid was the scene of two days of violent anti-austerity protests as Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy prepares to unveil his 2013 austerity budget Thursday. There is speculation that Spain could yet seek a bailout from its eurozone partners.

Despite two days of demonstrations over the prospect of budget cuts, Madrid 2020 told ATR that it was not concerned over losing public backing for the Olympic bid.

"We are confident that we can count on the support of the Madrid and Spanish population," the spokeswoman said.

A new public opinion survey will be carried out before the end of the year, which will make interesting reading for the IOC evaluation commission for the 2020 Olympic bids led by British IOC member Ceaig Reedie.

"We, as all the candidates cities, have to do a survey to include the results in the bid book. Therefore, this survey will be made as close to the deadline of the closing of the bid book to make sure the data is accurate," she said.

The bid books from Madrid, Istanbul and Tokyo are due with the IOC on Jan. 7.

One big positive for Madrid 2020 is that it appears to be winning plenty of support from the private sector in its quest to boost bid funds.

The bid spokeswoman said there was not just one sponsor but "quite a bunch of them" who were coming on board. Contracts are being signed and the new partners will be officially presented in the coming weeks.

According to Madrid’s applicant file, the city’s bid budget is $38.6 million, with $23.8 million (62 percent) coming from private companies. Madrid declined to say how much they have raised to date.

Sports Events Boost Istanbul Profile

Istanbul 2020 officials are busy on their bid book but also making plans to use a number of high-profile sports events in Turkey to promote their campaign.

"Many of these are taking place over the next few months and will provide an opportunity for Turkey to showcase it's hosting capabilities," Istanbul 2020 told ATR.

The first is the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final from Oct. 9-12 when the Istanbul 2020 team will welcome some of the world’s top professional golfers including Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Rory Mcllroy.

After that there’s the Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon on Nov. 11 that will involve up to 100,000 participants.

"This is something the bid committee and the city of Istanbul is very excited and passionate about. It is the only major course in the world to include two continents, Asia and Europe, as it crosses the Bosphorus Bridge during the race," the bid said.

Istanbul gets another chance to show off its sports event experience when it stages the 11th FINA World Swimming Championships at Istanbul’s Sinan Erdem Arenafrom Dec. 12 to 16.

Poster Campaign Aims to Lift Tokyo Support

The Japanese bid highlights its growing reputation for hosting international sporting events after holding three in a week as it prepares to launch a nationwide poster campaign.

The 2012 Archery World Cup Final was hosted at Hibiya Park, while badminton’s Yonex Open Japan was held at Yoyogi National Stadium, the Tokyo 1964 Olympic swimming venue.

The Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis Tournament is currently taking place in the city. Also this week in Tokyo is the International Ice Hockey Federation's General Congress.

The city of Yokohama hosts the latest event in the ITU World Triathlon Series. Some of the world's top triathletes including London 2012 medalists are taking part. Japan’s Mami Sato and Atsushi Yamamoto are among 16 athletes from Asia who are competing in the paratriathlon, which has been included on the Rio 2016 Paralympic program.

"These series of events are great showcases for how passionate the Japanese are toward Olympic and Paralympic sports," a bid spokesman told ATR.

"The smooth organization of these concurrent events reaffirms Tokyo’s organisational skills - an asset that Tokyo 2020 is leveraging in its bid plan for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Tokyo 2020 will shortly be launching a new nationwide poster campaign featuring London 2012 athletes in its efforts to grow public support for the bid. A total of 100,000 posters, in several versions, will be on display at railway stations, airports and some iconic commercial places across the country.

Reported by Mark Bisson

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.