Advantage: Paris
IOC report of 2012 bid cities gives glowing review
Posted: Monday June 6, 2005 9:54AM; Updated: Monday June 6, 2005 11:59AM
Olympic Odds
Latest odds offered by British bookmakers on the race for the 2012 Olympics:
Ladbrokes
Paris 1-6
London 7-2
Madrid 16-1
New York 33-1
Moscow 100-1
William Hill
Paris 1-4
London 11-4
New York 12-1
Madrid 33-1
Moscow 100-1
LONDON (AP) -- Exactly a month before the vote, front-runner Paris received the best overall review Monday in an IOC evaluation of the five cities bidding for the 2012 Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee issued a 123-page report evaluating the bids of Paris, London, New York, Madrid and Moscow -- the most competitive and glamorous field in Olympic bid history.
London, Madrid and New York also got positive ratings while long-shot Moscow came in for criticism.
The report did not rank the cities, but offered an insight into the strength and weaknesses of each bid. It focused on technical issues such as venues, financing, transportation, accommodations, security and public and government support.
The findings will serve as a guide for the 117 eligible IOC voting members who will cast secret ballots in Singapore on July 6. The vote, however, also will take into account geopolitical and other issues not covered by the report.
The report was based on visits to the five cities in February and March by the IOC evaluation commission, headed by Morocco's Nawal El Moutawakel.
Paris has been considered the favorite since the start of the campaign nearly two years ago, and Monday's glowing report only reinforced that status. However, the IOC also made clear that London, New York and Madrid are worthy contenders.
The report didn't include a single negative word about Paris, praising the French capital's sports concept, "excellent accommodation," "high capacity and quality" transportation systems and "well-documented" budget.
The report also noted that Paris had "fully taken into account" the IOC's framework for controlling the cost and size of the Olympics.
In a statement, the Paris 2012 committee noted that the report cited the "very high quality" of the bid.
"Today Paris 2012 is more determined than ever to demonstrate its Olympic commitment, with one sole objective in mind -- having the honor to be awarded the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games," it said.
London, which has gained significant momentum in recent months, was praised for the "significant sports and environmental legacies" involved in its plans for regenerating the city's rundown east side.
However, the IOC noted that "careful planning would be required to ensure that all facilities are completed on time." It also said that London's improved transportation plans were workable if "fully delivered" before 2012.
"This is a springboard for the next 30 days," London bid chairman Sebastian Coe said. "A good evaluation report on its own is not enough to get you over the line, but we're confident we can build on the momentum this bid has enjoyed over the last year."
Madrid was cited for sports and environmental legacies. In the only negative comment, the report said Madrid may need to use hotels in cities about an hour away by train to meet Olympic requirements. In a statement, Madrid bid organizers said the report "highly values" their plans.
New York won generally positive assessments, including one for its potential legacy, but the report cited the continuing uncertainty over its proposed $2 billion stadium on Manhattan's West Side.
A vote on the project, crucial to the city's chances, was postponed for a second time Friday and was scheduled for later Monday in Albany, N.Y.
The IOC report said "no guarantees were provided" to ensure that the stadium and an international broadcasting center would be built.
New York bid leader Dan Doctoroff said he was "absolutely delighted" with the report.
"The report makes clear that this race is neck and neck and that New York is firmly in the top tier," he said. "The IOC report has made crystal clear that we're in a great position to win in Singapore on July 6, so long as the stadium is approved."
Moscow, considered the outsider all along, received the most stinging comments.
"A lack of detailed planning in the candidature file and background information made it difficult for the commission to evaluate the project," the IOC said.
Moscow bid chairman Valery Shantsev played down the criticism.
"We are satisfied with the report," he said at a news conference. "In our opinion the commission (believes) ... that there are five strong bidding cities."
The IOC also commissioned its own public opinion survey, and Madrid came out on top with a 91 percent approval rate in the city and 85 percent nationwide. Paris was next (85 percent-79 percent), followed by Moscow (77 percent-76 percent), London (68 percent-70 percent) and New York (59 percent-54 percent).
British bookmakers reacted to the report by keeping Paris as the odds-on favorite, with Ladbrokes listing the French city at 1-6 and William Hill at 1-4. London was second at 7-2 and 11-4. Ladbrokes had Madrid third at 16-1 and New York fourth at 33-1, while William Hill rated New York third at 12-1 and Madrid fourth at 33-1. Moscow was 100-1 with both bookmakers.
On Sunday, Paris and Madrid staged major street festivals to showcase their bids. The Champs-Elysees in Paris was lined with a running track and featured exhibitions of all 28 Olympic sports. In Madrid, more than 1 million turned out for party centered on the main thoroughfare, the Castellana Boulevard.
Moscow last staged the Summer Games in 1980, the United States in 1996 (Atlanta) and Spain in 1992 (Barcelona). Paris, meanwhile, hasn't held the Olympics since 1924, and London since 1948.
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