On the Scene in Madrid - IOC Praises "Greatly Impressive" Spanish Bid

(ATR) Chairman Craig Reedie says the IOC Evaluation Commission believes the capital costs are "attainable" for a 2020 Olympics in Madrid.

"The IOC is well aware that the Olympic Games cannot get more expensive, more expensive, more expensive,'' he said Thursday at the close of a four-day inspection visit to the capital, quashing doubts about the financing of the bid amidst economic meltdown in Spain.

"We were certainly made aware by the bid committee where the Spanish economy is, and we thank Madrid for their openness and honesty. They told us that the Spanish economy has had a very difficult time, but that it has stabilized and will improve, and we have noted that in our report,'' he added.

Reedie explained what his delegation saw in Madrid would be made available "to advance the information on the Madrid bid" for IOC members in Lausanne on July 3 and that all the information presented during the week had been done so in a "very informative and professional manner".

The support of the Spanish government at all levels was also noted as well as the high levels of support by citizens – at 81 percent, according to the latest IOC survey.

When asked by Turkish media whether Madrid's bid is based solely on austere financial projections, Reedie used words such as enthusiasm, passion and soul to describe the project.

''There is no doubt that this bid has taken the base of the previous two that Madrid has put together and it is better for it. There is also no doubt that passion and soul is part of the Madrid bid. It is a beautiful city and the local support for the Games is very encouraging," he said.

Reedie’s broad brush-stroke impression of the Madrid bid, when asked for his comparison to the phrase "hugely impressive" that he used to describe Tokyo's bid less than two weeks ago, was to label Spain’s "greatly impressive".

Giving very little away, he added: "if you want to translate ‘hugely’ for ‘greatly’ or vice versa, I'm quite comfortable about that," producing laughter in a packed press room.

Reedie also diplomatically replied to a question asking for the low point of his week, pointing out his failure to score a penalty past Spain and Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas on the turf of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Monday.

Looking back to his own Olympic career, Reedie admitted it was on his third attempt that he won a place on the IOC Executive Board, adding "maybe it will be third time lucky also for Madrid".

Sitting alongside the Scotsman was IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Gilbert Felli, who backed up Reedie's words and labeled Madrid's bid "a true investment for the future".

''A big part of the investment has been made already, and that's why it's not as huge (an investment) as if you start from scratch. Therefore, the crisis will not affect this too much. Madrid has understood the changes they needed to make, and we have seen the quality of the guarantees and improvements in the process of Madrid's bid,'' Felli said.

Felli also applauded the infrastructure in place in Madrid, a message the bid team has been keen to promote all week.

"We believe Madrid is ready for a Games with a project adapted to the needs of the IOC. We have a great chance, but there is a long way to go, and we will not stop working until the 7th of September to achieve that victory," Madrid 2020 President Alejandro Blanco said soon after in the bid’s own closing press conference.

"Madrid is ready. Trust us to organize a great Games," he said.

Written and reported in Madrid by Dermot Ledwithand Ed Hula

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