Olympic Bid Boost: Spain In International Top Five For Reputation
Madrid, 19 May 2009 - A report presented by the Reputation Institute in Madrid this week covering 27 countries and
almost 34,000 people has confirmed Spain in fourth position for international reputation behind Switzerland, Canada and
Italy.
Based on assessments including quality of life, international perception, infrastructure and trading links, Spain has
been ranked very highly by a comprehensive range of chief executives, opinion-formers and influencers as a country to
visit, live in, and do business with.
Developed countries in Latin America, Continental Europe (including the UK) and the USA all responded most positively to
Spain’s offering in the global sphere (global responsibility, respected leaders and supporting good causes), political
arena (well-developed political and legal structure), social set-up (social welfare state for all citizens), and
cultural status (leisure and entertainment).
These findings are significant as they reinforce the importance of reputation as an influencing factor for people
visiting a country, living, working, or investing there, and buying products or services from the country. This
excellent international perception is a clear endorsement for the country as its capital Madrid is bidding to host the
2016 Olympic Games.
Spain’s global links in sport, politics and commerce are obvious. The country has hosted 200 international sporting
events in the last ten years alone, and 77% of the sports’ venues in Madrid are already either in place underway –
including the brand-new Magic Box tennis venue. Madrid’s Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón is a figurehead for the bid and
the President of the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities (UCCI). The Madrid bid has 65 corporate sponsors so far
including Ferrovial, Repsol, Accenture and El Corte Inglés. And Spain is one of the world’s top tourist destinations
with 7m visitors having passed through Madrid in 2008.
“Trust and reliability are important factors for any Olympic bid city,” commented Madrid 2016 bid chief Mercedes Coghen.
“We know that we can stage a brilliant Games and our perception in this world ranking confirms that. All we ask is the
opportunity to offer all that we have and put it to good use for the Olympic Movement and its legacy.”
ENDS