POSTED: 2012-02-14 09:02:14
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAURA WALDEN / Sports Features Communications
TAMPA: The Baku 2020 team also submitted their applicant file to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today with a strong legacy message similar to the complete transformation that Barcelona underwent in 1992.
The Baku 2020 plan will comprise four clusters that include both competition and non-competition venues and that integrate existing, new, permanent and temporary venues. The city has the climate, waterfront, iconic buildings, an amazing heritage, and one of the most robust economies in the world.
The team, led by ceo Konul Nurullayeva, included Azad Rahimov, the Minister of Youth and Sport and Vice-Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, Elhan Memmedov, the new Head of Communications, Olympic athlete Zemfira Meftaheddinova, Paralympian Ilham Zakiev, and Murad Najafbayli Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva.
Nurullayeva said, “Reflecting our Bid’s tagline ‘Together we can’, Baku’s Applicant File stresses that it is not simply about what the Olympic Games can do for Baku and Azerbaijan, but what the city and country can offer back to the Olympic Movement.”
“Our Applicant File outlines a Games Plan that will extend the Olympic ideals to millions of new hearts and minds and one that will embrace five continents.
“It says that awarding Baku the honour of hosting the 2020 Games will give people around the world a true picture of Azeri culture, while at the same time bring a new found sporting confidence to a region that has not had the opportunity to witness first-hand the greatest sporting event on earth.”
Four Clusters
The Waterfront Cluster will include Baku Bay, the Boulevard and iconic city infrastructure, including the Old City UNESCO World Heritage site – will host seven sports on three competition sites.
The White City Cluster, formerly the hub of the oil business, will house the Olympic Village, Media Village, IBC/MPC and Athlete Training Centre as well as three competition venues.
The Olympic Stadium Cluster, along the main highway, includes the Olympic stadium plus five competition venues.
The Airport Cluster will include the expansion project for the Baku Expo Centre that will host seven sports and will also be a key Paralympic venue.
All venues are within 25-minute travel time of the Olympic Village for compactness.
Baku is competing to host the 2020 summer Olympics together with Doha, Istanbul, Madrid, and Tokyo as Rome will no longer be involved in this candidature cycle.
The final decision will be voted in Buenos Aires, Argentina on September 7, 2013 at the IOC session.
For more information contact:
Laura Walden ()
Keir Radnedge ()
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