Victor Sanchez: "This is the time for Madrid"

Madrid, July 5th, 2012 – Víctor Sánchez, Madrid 2020 CEO, took part last Wednesday on a conference about the Madrid Olympic bid organized by Spanish press agency Europa Press. One of the exclusive news that he stated was that the Madrid Bid is considering the possibility of including venues such as Las Ventas bullring and the Palacio de Vistalegre in the bid’s dossier in search of investments saving to promote the economic guarantees required by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). "Of course, these are two possibilities we are not excluding", he explained.

Sánchez also highlighted that, when certifying the Madrid 2020 Bid, the International Olympic Committee appreciated the fact that the city has already built most of the infrastructures to be used. "No other bid has built the number of infrastructures Madrid has to date, and the IOC positively appreciates that", stressed Sánchez.

In this sense, he also added that the IOC report establishes that, regarding the infrastructures to be built, the economic situation "must be monitored" in order to ensure the financial guarantees required to host the Olympic Games.

"It seems to be logical to use the top-level venues we currently have". We are considering which sporting and non-sporting venues may be used during the Olympic Games in order to significantly reduce the investment to be made. This means savings for the administrations, which are then translated into guarantees before the IOC", he highlighted.

The time for Madrid

In his speech, Víctor Sánchez claimed that, twenty-eight years after Barcelona, this is the time for Madrid to host the Olympic Games. "More than one generation" ignore what such an important event represents.

"In 2020 it will have been 28 years since Barcelona 92. More than one generation and an important part of another one have not experienced the Games. This is the time to boost sport, this is the time for Madrid, we deserve the Games", stated Sánchez.

Therefore, he is not worried about the possible continent rotation with rivals such as Istanbul and Tokyo. "Given their strategic situation, some of the cities participate representing two different continents, but we are the only bid within the Euro area, and there are more things that make us European. According to rotation – including Winter and Youth Games – Games should come back to Europe", he concluded.

Besides, the manager finds it clear that "with a project like this and a city like Madrid" there is no room for "failure". "Third time will be lucky", he wished. In this sense, he confessed three is his lucky number that is repeated over and over – "there are three levels within our organization, three officials of the SOC (Alejandro Blanco, Theresa Zabell and himself) working for the Bid, three members with the right to vote at the IOC; which grants some advantage, this is the third time Madrid applies to host the Games, and three are the cities that have made the cut", he added.

The Secretary General of the Spanish Olympic Committee stated that there are three "core commitments" of the capital’s bid. "Madrid people, sport and progress", he said, stating clear that since the first try with Madrid 2012, the city’s commitment to Olympism has become stronger and better". In this sense, Sánchez believes there are "new top-level venues" and "infrastructures are being improved towards a modern, dynamic and comfortable city".

Sánchez also praised the great moment of Spanish sport, relating the triple crown of the Spanish Football National Team to other achievements in many sports, and highlighting that during 2013 and 2014 Spain will host "seven World Championships and a European one". "Barcelona paved the way for Spain to become a world reference thanks to the heroic sporting milestones achieved in many sports", he added.

For more information visit: http://www.madrid2020.es/en/

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