AFP reports Juan Antonio Samaranch, who was the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) chairman from 1980 to 2001, said Wednesday he will be in Copenhagen next week to push Madrid’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
Samaranch said, “with my words, which are few, but important, I will try to help Madrid. In sport, it is better to be pessimistic, or let’s say prudent…if you go on to win, the victory tastes even better”. Samaranch is the IOC’s honorary life present.
Samaranch reportedly admitted that one of Madrid’s major problems is the unwritten rule that the Summer Games rotate between continents.
As for the findings of the evaluation commission’s report which appeared to favour Chicago and Rio, Samaranch said, “I think that everything that has come out in the press about the evaluation commission findings is of relative importance. What matters is the members of the IOC, they are the ones who vote”.
Meanwhile Madrid is touting its transport system as one of the world’s most advanced transport infrastructures and that it would ensure the most efficient and enjoyable Games for all involved. Also visitors to the Games would receive free use of public transport on the day their ticket is valid, and Madrid’s public transport network is fully prepared and has the sufficient capacity to host an Olympic Games.
Madrid 2016 head Mercedes Coghen said, “the Madrid transport system is one of the best in the world. It is vitally important that any city hosting the Games has a modern transport system which can support the needs of all the Olympic family when they visit a city”.
