Rome's Dropout "Good News" for Madrid; 1972 Terror Survivors Return to Munich

Juanito: Rome Decision to Benefit Madrid

IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. says Rome’s decision to drop out of the race for the 2020 Olympics is "good news" for Madrid.

According to comments from an EFE report distributed by the bid committee, he said "this is very good news for Spain – we will avoid competing against a very dangerous rival," referring to the Italians as masters of lobbying.

Samaranch also applauded Madrid 2020’s "Smart" bid concept, which will apply a strict use of funding.

"With the right development, it may become the bid’s raison d’être – a sensible, saving and sustainable project. One of our biggest challenges is proving that applying to host the Olympics is a reasonable decision in the current economic situation."

Samaranch also announced his decision to present the Juan Antonio Samaranch Foundation on April 21, 2012 in the Beijing Olympic Stadium. The foundation will focus on developing the cultural and economic relations between Spain and China.

Problems Continue to Plague IOA

The Indian Olympic Association has until March 1 to inform the IOC of the status of IOA president Suresh Kalmadi. Earlier this week, the IOC wrote to the IOA for the third time requesting the information. As a result, the IOA Executive Board decided to hold an "emergency meeting" on March 2 to discuss the matter.

Kalmadi was jailed over financial irregularities relating to the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games of which he was in charge.

V.K. Malhotra is the interim president, as Kalmadi has not yet resigned. A report on The Times of India's website quotes a letter Kalmadi wrote to Malhotra saying he will not step down yet, even though he will have a "further prolonged absence" from the IOA due to his "legal matters."

Additionally, warring factions within the IOA are reportedly the reason no chef de mission for the London Olympics has been named.

The Indian Express says two sides are backing two different individuals for the job, causing the stalemate.

"We are aware that there has been a delay but we will meet soon to finalize the name," Malhotra was quoted by the paper.

1972 Terror Survivors Return to Munich

Survivors of the 1972 Munich Olympic terrorist attack returned to the Olympic Stadium on Thursday, expressing goodwill about their time at the Games, prior to the tragedy.

Seven members of the Israeli Olympic Team returned to the site as part of a filming of a documentary about the terrorist attacks. Palestinian gunmen of the Black September movement stormed the Olympic Village on September 5. Eventually, 11 Israelis died, as did five Palestinians and a German police officer.

"It's a mixed feeling," Avraham Melamed was quoted by Reuters.

"We're here having a great time but it is based on the worst time. Our visit here is fantastic. I feel like I'm floating on a cloud of love, but the families and the victims, and the families of the victims share a completely different reality."

His teammate Dan Alon shared his feelings.

"I always feel good in Munich but I have some bad memories also. I don't have anythingagainst the Germans... I have only one thing to blame, it's the terrorists, unfortunately. We hope that one day, it will be the end of terror around the world."

The documentary will air on The Biography Channel on July 7.

On Thursday, in an unrelated story, Britain’s ambassador to Israel, Matthew Gould, told Israeli Olympic hopefuls that Britain will work hard to protect Israelis during the 40th anniversary of the attacks.

"We are doing everything possible to keep you safe," he was quoted by The Jewish Chronicle. "Forty years on, the lessons from Munich have not been forgotten."

Commission Critiques LOCOG’s Delayed Response

The Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 says LOCOG should have dealt with issues with labor standards earlier.

After the release of the Playfair Campaign and the Trades Union Congress report which showed problems with conditions in two Chinese factories that produce Olympic merchandise, LOCOG began efforts to protect workers’ rights.

Although the commission applauded their decision, it noted that the organizing body should have acted months ago.

"We advised LOCOG to require full disclosure and to improve communication of their complaints mechanism in our review of merchandising last summer, but LOCOG had insisted at this point full disclosure was an impossibility," said chairman Shaun McCarthy.

"While it has now done the right thing and is collaborating with Playfair to see what can be done, it would have been more effective to have tackled this earlier in the programme."

Briefs…

…Roger Federer is setting his sights on a fifth Olympic Games. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the Swiss said his initial plans to retire following the London Olympics were said "mostly to get the journalists off my back." He added: "I won't be retiring after the London Olympics. I hope to be playing many more years to come. Haven't set a date or thought about it in any way. In fact, I'm hoping now to play Rio." Federer made his first Olympic appearance in 2000. He won a gold in 2008 in men’s doubles.

…Azerbaijan sports minister Azad Rahimov said the country is targeting at least 50 Olympians in London. "We are also hopeful that 20 more licenses will be gained," he was quoted by Azeri media. "We're expecting over 50 places for Azerbaijani sportsmen in the summer Olympics in London." Azerbaijan’s largest Olympic team came in Beijing, when 44 Azeris competed at the Games.

Media Watch

London’s The Telegraph offers a list of the best hotels outside of London, available at lower prices than those found in London proper, for budget-conscious Games travelers.

What impact will the Olympics have on British higher education? The Guardian explores that question in a blog post.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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