Olympics Brings People Together

Olympics Brings People Together – Safeguard The Legacy

During the first day of Sportaccord 2009 in Denver – the ‘Davos of sport’ – senior figures in the world of sport have stressed the need to safeguard the legacy of any Olympic event due to its powerful and lasting effects on the host country.

“Legacy is vital when considering any candidate city’s bid for an Olympic event,” said Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, IOC member for Spain and son of IOC Life President Juan Antonio Samaranch. “The most successful Olympics are those which truly help to bring about change and social transformation long after the closing ceremony. It is not just about a big international sporting competition where top athletes have the opportunity to compete against one another and then go home. It is about the value of sport and its role in our daily lives.”

Spain hosted a memorable Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992 and is bidding to hold the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Madrid. Legacy and social change are key elements of the bid, which hopes to transform the international and multicultural capital city into a model of urban development through the Olympic values of sport and togetherness. Part of the Spanish plan incorporates the Olympic Village as a blueprint for city planning, using sustainable materials and regeneration policies.

The Madrid bid is the safest choice for 2016. Its Generation16 programme unites all members of society regardless of age or background to ensure sport plays a part in the everyday lives of communities and citizens, with a strong emphasis on education. Public support, at 92.6%, is extremely high, over 25,000 volunteers have already registered and the bid is backed by everyone from the Royal Family and private sector to trade unions and the political establishment. 77% of the sports’ venues are already built or underway with funding for the event fully guaranteed by the Spanish government and local authorities, down to the last Euro.

“The recession is now a major factor for the IOC,” added Samaranch. “Preparation and facilities for the event help ensure it will continue to be a beacon of sporting excellence for generations to come, bringing people together from all areas of life and making a real impact on society. Having the backing in place to secure the candidacy as a real and not a virtual bid is very important.”

ENDS

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