Madrid 2016 CEO Mercedes Coghen and Vice Mayor of Madrid Manuel Cobo are calling the third day of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Evaluation Commission visit to Madrid “very productive and progressing”.
Coghen described it as a “very technical and in-depth” day, in which there were a lot of numbers.
In addition to the presentations there was opportunity for further questions about Wednesday’s venue tour. Coghen said, “the venue analysis has been very good”, stressing that members of the IOC have been impressed with the venues of a very solid project.
Organizers revealed that a survey undertaken by the IOC in February showed public support for the bid was 86 per cent among Spaniards and 85 per cent among Madrid residents, which was higher than four years ago when Madrid lost the 2012 Games to London.
Organizers hoped to persuade the commission that Madrid’s nearly completed infrastructure left it best positioned of the four candidates to weather the current economic crisis. The Spanish government has guaranteed to cover any budget deficits.
Coghen said, “we are suffering like all the countries around the world but we are optimistic. I think the crisis will pass but they also will find the Olympics can be a new time to take new jobs and get out from this situation”.
Spanish IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. said of Madrid’s competitors, “I don’t think our economy will be the factor that differentiates us from Tokyo, Chicago or Rio de Janeiro. Our bid is characterized by vitality and security”
