Rio a strong contender for 2016 Olympic bid, says Rogge
13/7/2007 16:58
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said
yesterday that Rio de Janeiro has a possibility of becoming the first South
American Olympic host.
"I would like to say that the International Olympic
Committee is very happy with the fact that we have six excellent candidates, "
Rogge told a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, where the 2007 Pan American
Games begin Friday.
"The IOC can be very happy to have received the
candidature for Rio....The six candidates have very good potential and I can say
Rio will be a very strong contender," he added.
Although Rio has until Sept.
13 to submit a formal bid, the IOC confirmed last week that Rio is an official
bid city. Other bid cities include Madrid, Tokyo, Chiago along with Doha, Qatar
and Baku, Azerbaijan. The IOC will select the host city in October
2009.
Hoping to become the first South American Olympic host, Brazilian
officials have said the Pan American Games will be an important test
run.
When asked about comments on the estimated 1.5 to US$2 billion spent on
the Rio Pan American Games, Rogge said that the IOC always take good care that
the operational budget is as minimal as possible and that the interest of the
budget leaves a good legacy for the host city.
"I can say having seen the
infrastructure this will be a tremendous legacy for Rio not just for the 16 days
of competition but for decades to come," he said.
"Many generations will
benefit from this legacy and I think this aspect is socially well developed and
responsible."
The Pan American Games are held every four years among about 40
nations in the Americas. This year's event is expected to draw about 5,600
athletes.
xinhua
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