POSTED: August 27th 2009
NewsUpdate
Madrid 2016 is the bid of the athletes
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT / Sports Features Communications
Madrid: Madrid’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games begins and ends with athletes of the past, present and future. The bid has taken every consideration to ensure that athletes are able to achieve their absolute best. A Games in Madrid promises spectacular venues, world class accommodation, a great climate and outstanding public support across the city and country.
One of the most impressive features of Madrid’s bid is their venues, with 77% already built. Nawal El Moutawakel, Chair of the International Olympic Committee, described Madrid’s venues as “magnificent” and was “most impressed” with the advanced state of their construction. With 100% of city infrastructure also in place, Madrid would be in a position to host the 2012 Games so has no qualms about readying itself for 2016.
Mercedes Coghen, ceo of Madrid 2016, said, "Many of the competition venues are already in use. The newly-opened Magic Box tennis venue hosted the Madrid Masters Tennis Series as its first event in May 2009. It has been described as one of the most significant buildings in worldwide sports architecture and Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal called it “spectacular”.
Plans are already underway to maximise use of the venues after the Olympics and Paralympics, preparing the way for the next generation of sporting heroes. The Olympic Stadium, home of the opening and closing ceremonies and all track and field events, will provide a new 65,000 seat home venue for soccer team Atlético de Madrid. The Aquatics Centre, due for completion in 2011, will enable local, regional and national teams to train and compete there, as well as providing a state-of-the-art community resource. After the Games, all Madrileños will have free community sports facilities within a ten-minute walk, although so popular is sport in Spain that people will certainly travel anywhere to use them!
Physical comfort is as important as physical venues for optimising athlete performance. Designed by athletes and for athletes, the Olympic Village will hold nearly 18,000 competitors in modern functional luxury less than 20 minutes from all competition venues. Madrid’s optimal Mediterranean climate is ideal to guarantee the warmth, low humidity and low rainfall that athletes need to train and compete to their highest standard. Fourteen hours of daily summer sunshine will also allow ample time for relaxation after competing in one of Madrid’s 658 parks and gardens.
As impressive as Madrid’s venues are, the people who will fill them will really make competing in a Madrid Olympics a memorable experience. Spain is known for its passionate support of sports events and with 93.6% public support for the Games in Spain, athletes can look forward to competing in front of cheering crowds and packed stadiums every day. The warm Spanish welcome begins at the airport as the bid ensures ease of entry and immigration for all competitors and equipment, and reduced stress for athletes.
Madrid’s bid divides the city into areas of ‘Heart’ and ‘Lungs’ but the city truly represents both. The city beats with passion for sport and athletes and the bid will breathe life into the Olympic Movement, bringing alive its values of inclusivity, friendship, fair play and giving your best at every possible opportunity. Madrid 2016 will give its very best to ensure that all competitors are able to give theirs.
Picture (above right): Madrid enjoys popular support among the youth / Image: Madrid 2016
Keywords · Madrid 2016 · Olympic bids · athletes
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Laura Walden ()
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