CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content
of external sites. Links will open in new window.
The 117th session of the International Olympic
Committee awarded the 2012 Olympic Games to London on Wednesday.
(AP Photo/ Max Nash)
London wins the Race for the RingsCBC
Sports Online | July 6, 2004
It was the most hotly-contested bid race in Olympic
history.
After watching five cities endure the lengthy evaluation process,
the International Olympic Committee selected London the host city
of the 2012 Olympics on Wednesday in Singapore.
Paris was considered the front runner, but the English edged their
French counterparts in the decisive fourth-ballot vote, 54-40.
London will now host the Olympic Games for the first time since 1948.
The 2012 race offered an unprecedented field of five world-class cities,
all capable of hosting a great Olympics.
Population: 7.3 million
Previous Olympics: 1908 and 1948 Proposed Olympic budget: $2.46 billion US
The Proposal: Events will be hosted from one of three
main competition zones – Olympic Park, the Central cluster and
the River cluster. The Olympic village will be located in Olympic
park (13 sports/disciplines including the main stadium). London's
bid will have a total of 33 competition venues, 15 of which already
exist. A new football stadium (Wembley), aquatics centre and velodrome
are already under construction. The 2012 Olympics would take place
from July 27-August 12.
Pros: The Games would be a major catalyst for the
regeneration and development of east London and has strong support
from the British government. London is among the most multicultural
cities in the world and would serve as an impressive backdrop for
the Games. The capital of one of the world's most prominent nations,
it hasn't hosted the Games in 57 years.
Cons: In its evaluation report, the IOC was wary
Olympic Park – the most attractive component to London's bid
– could be completed on time. The city’s old subway (the world’s
first) and road traffic are concerns, although London has agreed to
a substantial overhaul of its public transportation system.
History of major sporting events: London Marathon,
Wimbledon, Premier League soccer, 1996 European soccer championship,
1999 rugby union World Cup, 1966 World Cup of Soccer
Population: 2.15 million;
9.64 million in greater Paris Previous Olympics: 1900 and 1924 Proposed Olympic budget: $2.65 billion
The Proposal: Paris' bid is considered the one to
beat heading into this week's vote. Nearly every competition is expected
to be held in the city under the proposal's "one village, two cluster"
concept. All but seven competition venues will be held in either the
northern or western cluster. The Olympic village will be located on
a ring road within 10 km of each cluster. Athletes have played a big
role in the planning process. Paris would hold the Games from July
27-August 12.
Pros: The Paris bid is the heavy favourite for good
reasons. The IOC had high praise for the candidate city in its evaluation
report, writing that it "has proposed integrated Games that would
facilitate a first-rate sports event." Paris would certainly be a
beautiful backdrop and voters might feel it's the city's time after
bypassing it in its previous 1992 and 2008 bids. The close proximity
of venues to the Olympic village makes this proposal athlete-friendly
and its world-renowned tourist sites will virtually guarantee a popular
Games. In contrast to other bids, the Olympic stadium (Stade de France)
is already built.
Cons: Labour strikes are frequent in France, so there's
a small possibility some of the new venues might not be built in time.
Ecologists are also opposed to extending the Roland Garros tennis
complex.
History of major sporting events: 1998 World Cup
of Soccer, 2003 world track and field championships, French Open tennis
championship, the final stage of the Tour de France.
Population: 3 million in
city; 5.5 million in greater area Previous Olympics: None Proposed Olympic budget: $2 billion
The Proposal: One of the most compact and least expensive
bids among the five cities, Madrid's concept is based on three main
competition clusters in the east, central and west. It proposes 35
competition venues, 24 of which already exist. No temporary venues
are planned. A high-capacity and quality public transportation system
is already in place and will play a big role in the Games. The 2012
Olympics would take place from August 10-26.
Pros: Madrid is the only major European capital that
has never hosted the Games. Former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch
is lobbying heavily for the city and there are still a lot of voters
who are staunchly loyal to him. The road and transport system is the
most impressive of the five bid cities.
Cons: There are major security worries after terrorist
attacks on commuter trains last year and a series of bombs set off
near proposed Olympic sites. In its evaluation report, the IOC expressed
concerns over the possibility of a lack of hotel rooms to accommodate
all of the spectators. The IOC might be hesitant to return to Spain
after Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Games.
History of major sporting events: 50 world and European
sports championships over the past decade, 1982 World Cup of Soccer,
2004 European swimming championships, 2005 European indoor athletics
championships.
Population: 10 million Previous Olympics: 1980 Summer Games (boycotted by
United States and other countries) Proposed Olympic budget: $1.84 billion
The Proposal: Building on the legacy of the 1980
Games, Moscow is proposing a one-city concept with all competition
venues, except football and sailing, within the city limits. Four
of the five main competition clusters will be situated alongside or
near the Moscow River. Moscow plans on using many of the existing
venues left from the 1980s Games. They will be retrofitted, while
seven new facilities will be built. It also plans a substantial road
and rail transport infrastructure development. Moscow would hold the
Games from July 14-29.
Pros: The IOC would love to use the Olympic Games
to help spur development and democracy in post-Soviet Russia. The
plan to situate most venues along or near the Moscow River is different
and innovative – water taxis would relieve congestion on the
streets. Very little money will go into building new venues, a legacy
from the 1980 Games.
Cons: Security is a major concern in Russia with
terrorist attacks connected with the conflict in Chechnya. In its
evaluation report, the IOC mentioned it was concerned with the lack
of detail and information in Moscow's proposal. Lengthy visa requirements
will make it difficult for media, athletes and foreign visitors to
get into the country.
History of major sporting events: 2005 world figure
skating championships, 2002 Greco-Roman wrestling world championships.
The Proposal: New York's proposal plans on redeveloping
derelict riverfront areas and parts of the inner city. Most venues
will be situated on two intersecting transport routes forming the
"Olympic-X" – a north-south route along the East River and east-west
route running across Manhattan. It hopes to utilize a total of 31
competition venues, 17 of which already exist. New York already has
a comprehensive public transport system, but plans to improve gridlock
by having lanes devoted to Olympic traffic, similar to the plan implemented
for the 1996 Athens Games. It would host the 2012 Games from July
27-August 12.
Pros: The Big Apple has never hosted an Olympic Games
before and it would serve as a symbol of the city's rebirth after
the devastation of Sept. 11, 2001. One of the world's most multicultural
cities, New York has something for everyone. Its business sector would
definitely contribute to the Games.
Cons: New York suffered a major blow when its original
Olympic stadium plans fell apart. An 11th-hour revision helped salvage
the bid. North America has the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver,
and IOC members have been reluctant in the past to give the same continent
back-to-back Games. Security is, once again, a major issue in New
York despite U.S. government assurances.
History of major sporting events: U.S. Open tennis
championship, New York Marathon, numerous World Series and professional
league championships.
CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content
of external sites. Links will open in new window.