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Madrid In Good Shape For 2016 Olympic Bid

Madrid In Good Shape For 2016 Olympic Bid

Madrid, 26 February 2009 - Mercedes Coghen, chief of Madrid’s Olympic bid team, says a four-day fitness event in the Spanish capital, FITNESS 09, demonstrates the city’s commitment to health and active living as the race to host the Games in 2016 enters the final stage.

Madrid 2016 is supporting the Fitness Industry and Sports Facilities Show, promoting the bid and taking the opportunity to add to the 20,000 volunteers who have already signed up in support of the Games.

Bid CEO Mercedes Coghen said: “As an Olympic gold medallist I recognise the importance of fitness not only in sport but in all walks of life. A healthy lifestyle is not just for elite athletes but for everyone and that is why the sporting venues of Madrid will provide a legacy for generations to come who want to participate in sport at every level.”

The event runs until March 1st with demonstrations of a range of different sports including an indoor cycling endurance test and step aerobics plus public workshops with fitness coaches for everyone to take part.

The decision on which city will host the Games will be made on October 2nd in Copenhagen.

Mercedes Coghen explained: “The race to host the Olympics is a marathon not a sprint. We have prepared well with most of the sports’ venues ready and the city infrastructure in place. We have already come a long way and our technical bid is excellent. We believe we are the safest bid because our plans are so well advanced and we have both the financial support of Government and sponsors and popular support of more than 92 per cent of the Madrid people. We now we need to steel ourselves for the final run to the finishing line.”

ENDS

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