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Three ahead in 2008 race
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PARIS, Toronto and Beijing are equal favourites to host the 2008 Olympics but staging the Games for the first time in China would leave a unique legacy, the IOC said on Tuesday.
An evaluation report said the cities on three different continents had assembled excellent bids.
“There are three cities with only minor deficiencies which would be easy to solve for 2008 — the three cities are more or less at the same level,” said Hein Verbruggen, head of the evaluation commission of the International Olympic Committee.
The commission's report expressed concern about financial aspects of the bids from Istanbul and the Japanese city of Osaka.
“The combination of a good sports concept with complete government support results in a high-quality (Beijing) bid,” it said.
“It is the commission's belief that a Beijing Games would leave a unique legacy to China and to sport and the commission is confident that Beijing could organize an excellent Games.”
The commission said there were no significant security concerns anticipated if Beijing won the right to stage the Games.
“The commission notes the process and pace of change taking place in China and Beijing and the possible challenges caused by population and economic growth in the period leading up to 2008, but is confident these challenges can be met,” the report said.
The job of the IOC Evaluation Commission is to focus on the technical aspects of a bid such as plans for sports facilities, transportation, accommodation and environmental protection. The IOC takes a final vote on the 2008 venue on July 13 in Moscow.
“Today is a very good day indeed for the people of Beijing, for the people of China and for the Olympic movement,” Beijing organizers said in a statement.
“There is one question on the minds of many — it concerns the role of politics in choosing the next Olympic city.
“The IOC has clearly stated that political factors will not play a part in the selection of the host city. The IOC's report today reinforces this point.”
The IOC report praised Toronto's impressive bid and its “compact sports concept.” “The major challenge is the capacity of the combined private sector and government alliance to deliver the waterfront sports venues and village developments.
“However, the commission is confident that this could be achieved.”
John Bitove, head of the Toronto bid committee, said: “It's better than I expected. It's a great boost of energy going forward to Moscow.”
The commission said it was concerned about traffic congestion within Paris. Having chosen a theme of “Games within a city ” (Paris) is faced with a complex urban Olympic village site, it said.
“While the commission is aware there are several elements of the village planning to be resolved, it is confident this will be achieved.”
Paris bid chief Claude Bebear said the report was fair. “We are very confident that in a sprint finish we could win.”
Osaka's problems centred around potential transport congestion, and concerns about the financial implications of the Games for the city and its ability to deliver on its plans.
Of Istanbul, the commission said it believed there were uncertainties regarding the overall status and projections of Games finance. The timelines and cost for all necessary transport infrastructure could be difficult to achieve and these would be essential for the conduct of a successful Games.
“This situation is not helped by the current economic conditions,” the report said.
“It's a risk analysis,” bid committee vice-chairman Sinan Erdem said of the report. “Turkey is in an economic crisis and implementing these projects is a risk.” (SD-Agencies)
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