Wednesday 17 June 2009

What Makes the Perfect Olympic Games Host? Rogge Gives His 10-point Checklist

Commercial interests should not dictate which city is awarded the Olympic Games, according to IOC president Jacques Rogge.

The Belgian yesterday gave a list of what he feels IOC members should consider when they vote:

1. The care of the athletes;
2. Ignore geo-political considerations;
3. A good Olympic Village;
4. Good transport;
5. State-of-the-art venues;
6. A good organising committee;
7. The quality of the competition itself;
8. Good broadcasting facilities;
9. Other basic requirements: good security, good crowds and atmosphere, success for the home team;
10. Leaving a sustainable legacy.

The election of the 2016 Olympic host will take place in Copenhagen in October. Chicago, Madrid, Rio and Tokyo are the candidates.

As president, Rogge will not vote but he feels the majority of the IOC membership shares his views on what makes a good Olympic city.

Copenhagen is set to welcome the top politicians and dignitaries from the four countries after the IOC decided, after consideration, to allow heads of states to attend.

Tony Blair was credited with boosting London's successful campaign for the 2012 games and Vladimir Putin followed suit to help Sochi land the 2014 winter Olympics.

While Chicago will hope that Barack Obama can give them the edge this time, the respected former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch will campaign for Madrid. Rogge said he was happy with that.

He said: 'It is perfectly legitimate that he supports the candidature of his country.'

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