The three cities bidding for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games – Buenos Aires, Glasgow and Medellin – reacted Tuesday to the publication of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Evaluation Commission report.
In the report, the IOC Executive Board said that Buenos Aires was now confirmed as a “Finalist Candidate City”,
Gerardo Werthein, President of the Argentine Olympic Committee and IOC member said, “I am delighted that the IOC’s report confirms that Buenos Aires is considered ready to host the 2018 YOG and welcome the Olympic Family and the youth of the world to our capital city for a wonderful international celebration of sport and culture.
“The important mission of the YOG is founded on engagement and innovation – creating new, exciting ways for young people to participate in sport and connect with the positive spirit of Olympism. We are proud to say that Buenos Aires is a city where innovation and creativity thrives”.
He added, “we will introduce exciting new event presentation concepts, an enriching and celebratory Cultural and Education Programme, and create compelling production content that will appeal to broadcasters, sponsors and young fans. Buenos Aires can help the YOG become independently sustainable and provide incredible opportunities for growth and expansion for International Sports Federations and other Olympic stakeholders”.
Francisco Irarrazaval, Buenos Aires Under-Secretary of Sport and Chief Executive of the Buenos Aires Bid Committee said, “it is our mission to deliver a Games concept that ensures convenience for the Olympic Family and will fit perfectly with the needs of the young athletes, allowing them to perform at their full potential – safely and securely.
“The IOC Evaluation Commission report will be a valuable source of information as we work hard to make our proposal even stronger. We are confident that Buenos Aires will deliver an unforgettable YOG that inspires the Olympians of the future to take part in sport today”.
Glasgow 2018’s bid team pledged that the Glasgow 2018 YOG, in partnership with the IOC, will enable the Olympic Movement to deepen its relationship with young people around the world to achieve lasting impact.
Shona Robison, Scottish Government Minister for Sport and Commonwealth Games said, “we welcome the IOC Evaluation Commission’s report. The IOC’s experts have acknowledged our great facilities, long experience of hosting major events, and the fact we have virtually no venues to build in order to put on a great YOG in line with the IOC’s original philosophy for the Games.
“That means we are ideally placed to focus additional time and effort on athletes’ needs, should we have the honour of hosting the Games. All our efforts are now focused on securing the Games so that we can provide visitors and athletes with the friendly welcome for which Scotland is renowned and provide an experience that will both surprise and delight”.
Gordon Matheson, head of Glasgow City Council said, “we are delighted that the IOC have shown such confidence in our ability to deliver a YOG which presents minimal risk to them and which will be an event that can empower young people both here at home and across the globe”.
He added, “I am also delighted to see that they have acknowledged that we have already started work on our Youth Olympic Village, which, as they highlight, will create a vibrant new community in Sighthill”.
Paul Bush, Glasgow 2018 Bid Director said, “this bid has the full and active support of all levels of government who are committed as active partners to delivering a successful and low-risk Games which capitalizes on their expertise in delivering sophisticated programs for the benefit of young people and the wider community”.
Medellin said it was delighted to get more positive news following the release of the IOC’s Evaluation Commission report confirming Medellin as a finalist.
Andres Botero Phillipsbourne, IOC member and Minister of Sport for Colombia said, “we are excited once again with today’s announcement from the IOC. We continue to be recognized for our commitment to sport and to bringing this important event to Colombia. We would like to thank the IOC members and the Evaluation Commission for allowing us to improve our project following their insightful questions and responses. We are inspired that the IOC supports our approach to the Youth Olympic Games in Medellin, which we feel will be a truly unique experience”.
Phillipsbourne added, “as the bid process enters this final month, we really feel a great energy and enthusiasm for the support of Medellin to host the event. We have been able to share our story of social transformation with the international community who now understands the reality that Medellin would be the perfect fit to organize this event”.
Medellin 2018 said the report confirms the comments from IOC President Jacques Rogge at a press conference held in February that Medellin’s bid proposal “corresponds with the vision of the Youth Olympic Games” and in particular that Medellin’s project “presents minimal risk to the IOC”.
Juan Camilo Quintero, Medellin 2018 CEO said, “the report shows that we were eager to listen and learn and to be a good partner for the IOC. They have recognized the investment over the last decade in youth, education, sport and culture – the very same priorities as the Youth Olympic Games, and the full support from the highest level of government”.
The 2018 Youth Olympic Games host city will be selected July 4, 2013 in Lausanne Switzerland at an Extraordinary Session of the IOC.
