Olympic Bid Cities Weigh Beijing Lessons on Staff, Venues, Security

ATR editor and founder Ed Hula (far left) moderates the 2016 panel. (ATR)(ATR) The cities bidding for the 2016 Olympics make their case to host the Games and reflect on their observations from Beijing in their first ever joint appearance before the media at the Around the Rings Newsmaker Breakfast in Beijing sponsored by McDonald’s.

The panel included Patrick Ryan of Chicago, Mercedes Coghen of Madrid, Carlos Nuzman from Rio de Janeiro and Dr. Ichiro Kono of Tokyo.

Around the Rings editor and founder Ed Hula moderated the panel.

Here are some highlights of the August 23rd breakfast:

Ed Hula - Give us a brief idea from each city, why the Olympics for you?

Patrick Ryan – The city of Chicago is wildly passionate about hosting the Games. The people love sport and love to celebrate. We would have the Games right on the lakefront in the center city and the athletes will be 91percent 15 minutes or less from the venues. Hotels and restaurants right within walking distance. We could make an impact on the Olympic movement Ichiro Kono of Tokyo 2016. (ATR)

Ichiro Kono – Japan has a love affair with Olympic Games and secondly the Olympics brings inspiration to younger generation. Olympic Games would provide new facilities for the younger people of Japan to participate in sports. The Games will help transform Tokyo to the 21st century. These kinds of things would provide a showcase to the Olympics in the future.

Carlos Nuzman – To show a result, it is much more effective in all aspects of life. Immediately after the Pan American Games, we were told it was best games ever on the Olympics level. This continent that has never had the Games. We don’t want a gift, we have the merit. We have a country, a sport country, a country that celebrates everything. And the Brazilian government has given guarantees to the IOC.

Mercedes Coghen Carlos Nuzman of Rio de Janerio and Mercedes Coghen of Madrid. (ATR)– Madrid and the Spanish people are committed to sport and committed to the Games. It is one of the only big capital cities in Europe not to have the Games. This is a model of living together and this would be the Games. We have many other nationalities living in Madrid and this would help bring the cultures together. It’s time for the Spanish to have the Games [again]. We are offering Madrid as the center of our joyful and happy culture.

EH– What important lesson have you learned in Beijing?

PR – The Chinese people have done extremely well. I’m taken with the friendliness and openness exemplified through the volunteers. It’s a large city. But they have handled it well. We will go back and say it is important to understand the value of service.

IK – I’m focusing on the sports venues. These are fantastic venues. Every athlete is saying the Athletes Village is fantastic and I will visit for maybe the third time. Lastly, very, very happy I’m happy to see the faces of the Chinese people. They are smiling and always happy.

CN – We congratulate Beijing for their success. The Games here are the Games of the country. Not only Beijing. It’s not only for one city, of one group of people. It’s for the whole country and it changed how people view the country and that’s what they did.

MC –I have learned that cooperation and plans is important and transportation is important. Not only the athletes. The Olympic family and spectators need to be on time and see as much sports as possible.

Media Question- What will you do for security? How will you improve and will you tone it down?

PR– We have a long time between now and then and I think we will have new technology in the way of security. It’s good to be unobtrusive. To be open, but secure is a common goal.

IK – We have already done our test. We hosted the G-8 Summit this year and we were very successful.

CN – All of you who were there during the Pan American Games. We showed the ability and capability of our government and people. We accredited one hundred thousand people without incident.

MC – In the last year we have organized over 30 championships and events. Security plans are needed, but we are prepared regarding security.

Media - Will your heads of state be in Copenhagen to offer support?

Patrick Ryan is chair of Chicago’s bid. (ATR)PR– I can’t speak for the heads of states no matter which of the two [U.S. Presidential candidates] win. We have strong support for each of them and I think they will be there.

IK – The head of Japan is on our bid committee.

CN – The president of Republic of Brazil was here and he declared he has the intention to come to IOC session in Copenhagen.

MC – We cannot forget the royal family, they have been involved in our trips and our special moments. I think they will be in Copenhagen for sure because they support our bid.

EH – Should these heads of state stay home to make things simpler, more fair?

MC – I don’t think so. It’s kind of important that to people of all the nations to know they are behind it.

CN – I need him beside me, beside the people Brazilian people.

IK – the value of sports is getting higher and higher because of the Olympic Games and the head of state needs it to show the people

PR – This was the first time a sitting president has traveled outside to the Olympics. I think it would be important for the new president to come out and show the American people and the IOC that we want you to come to the US and Chicago.