1st Shakeup for 2020 Olympic Race; YOG 2018

Rome Bid Demise

Leaders of the derailed bid from the Italian capital are having to deal with the sting of rejection after Prime Minister Mario Monti refused to back the 2020 bid.

"Two years of work have gone up in smoke," said Italian NOC President Gianni Petrucci at a press conference Tuesday afternoon in Rome.

Mario Pescante, chair of Rome 2020 and IOCvice president, was clearly disappointed, but philosophical about the bid demise.

"Rome was the first city to announce its candidacy for 2020, and we did so with a sincere belief that once again, Rome could be a unique turning point for the Olympic Movement, just as we were for the 1960 Olympic Games," he said.

"But life, as in sport, is often determined by events beyond one’s control so we must responsibly accept the decision of our government and refocus our energies on the broader goals of Italy itself," said Pescante.

With 24 hours to go before the deadline to apply for the 2020 Olympics, Monti told bid leaders that he could not back the bid. Without his endorsement the bid could not move forward.

Speaking after a Council of Ministers meeting, Monti said he was thinking about future generations in considering whether to take the risk of seeking the Olympics.

Bid leaders had tried to convince Monti that the Olympics would require only modest infrastructure spending that would help with Italy’s economic recovery.

Monti was chosen to lead the government in December, selected to rescue the economy, picked for his pragmatism and absence of ties to the main political parties. He has said he will only serve for one more year, long enough to enact the reforms and cuts he wants to make to end Italy’s debt crisis.

The demise of the bid means the consultant team led by Terrence Burns of Helios Partners is suddenly adrift for 2020. Also a bit stranded is Robert Fasulo, the U.S. international relations expert who moved his family to Rome last year to work full-time on the campaign.

The logo for the Rome bid dies along with the bid, without an unveiling. Had the bid been approved by Monti, Rome 2020 was ready to release the design, which featured a stylized version of the Coliseum.

Baku, Madrid Deliver Applicant Files

Baku and Madrid are the latest 2020 bid cities to deliver their applicant files to the IOC, both showing up Tuesday at IOC headquarters.

Baku bid CEO Konul Nurullayeva led the delegation, saying the 2020 Olympics would change the world.

"Our Applicant File outlines a Games Plan that will extend the Olympic ideals to millions of new hearts and minds and one that will embrace five continents," she said.

"It says that awarding Baku the honor of hosting the 2020 Games will give people around the world a true picture of Azeri culture, while at the same time bring a new found sporting confidence to a region that has not had the opportunity to witness first-hand the greatest sporting event on Earth."

Alejandro Blanco, president of the Spanish Olympic Committee and head of Madrid 2020, said hosting the Games would give Spain a chance to solve its economic woes.

"Spain is going through difficult economic moments, but in times of crisis there are two possible solutions – we can just hide or step forward and say ‘here I am with this bid,’" he said. "I believe this is good for the city and for the country – we are ready to host a high-level Olympics."

Doha and Tokyo delivered their applicant files on Monday with Istanbul scheduled to do so Wednesday.

Guadalajara YOG Bid Chief Named

Carlos Andrade is leaving the organizing committee of the 2011 Pan American Games to lead Guadalajara's bid for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

Andrade was the president of the Pan American Games Organizing Committee.

Horacio de la Vega, commercial director of COPAG, was quoted as saying Guadalajara is the favorite for the race.

"We are favorites, no doubt, there are many advantages we have on this," he was quoted in Mexican media. "It is preparing the final report and after making the decision you have to see what you have to do to compete and win the bid internationally."

"It's a very important part that everything is already developed. All the stadiums that were built for the Pan American Games would not require a large investment in this area."

Durban YOG

The South African Olympic Committee, SASCOC, is finding out if Durban wants to bid for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

A letter dated Feb. 2 from Tubby Reddy, SASCOC CEO, was printed in South Africa’s The Mercury with SASCOC "enquiring" the city government about its desires.

"We are enquiring whether the city of Durban would be amenable to consider bidding to host this prestigious event," Reddy reportedly wrote. "We would be happy to meet with your team and give a full explanation in order for you to make your final decision."

Reddy urged the city to decide "as soon as possible" due to the bidding deadline of March 1.

Durban was rumored to be a 2020 bid city but ultimately did not bid.

Written by Ed Hula III.

20 Years at #1: