A Madrid 2016 delegation, led by Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, outlined its bid to the National Olympic Committee’s of Africa (ANOCA) General Assembly in Abuja, Nigeria Tuesday.
HRH Dona Pilar de Borbon, a member of the bid team, said at the presentation, “presenting our Olympic and Paralympic project is far more than a celebration – it is enjoying the greatest sporting achievement on the planet. For Madrid, for Spain, the opportunity to celebrate an Olympic Games is a passport to a better world – more sympathetic, more human, more close”.
Ruiz-Gallardon reminded the NOCs that Spain had increased its international aid by tenfold to Western Africa, along with the Spanish Government’s promise to help Africa in its relations with Europe as it will assume the presidency of the European Union over the coming year. He summed up this commitment as Madrid’s wish to be “a bridge to unite Africa and Europe, as we have always been throughout our history”.
The Mayor said, “I open the doors of my city to you and offer a model which will show how the Games can transform a place through people, infrastructure, technology and self-interest”.
Madrid 2016 bid head Mercedes Coghen said Madrid 2016 will be the tool for shaping a culture of “respect, tolerance, and understanding”.
President of the Spanish Olympic Committee Alejandro Bianco, offered Spanish installations, such as the Centre for High Performance, to the members of the African Committees, in pursuit of their professional sporting goals. He said, “many of your athletes are already using our venues. I truly believe that Spain, through its climate and atmosphere, is the best option for competing, training and having fun”.
