POSTED: May 10th 2011
NewsUpdate
Annecy still learning its lessons down road to Lausanne and Durban
KEIR RADNEDGE / Sports Features Communications
GENEVA, May 10: Despite concerns about logistical isses, Annecy ceo Charles Beigbeder said he was encouraged by the evaluation report of the French city's 2018 Winter Olympics bid.
The International Olympic Committee published today in Lausanne its commission's review of all the three challengers to host the Games; they present to the full IOC next week in Lausanne ahead of the vote in Durban on July 6.
Annecy's bid has not had the easiest ride. It had to be recast last year on IOC advice and underwent a major change of key personnel at the start of this year.
In that context Beigbeder felt that the report provied "a real boost" by highlighting "the technical strengths of Annecy 2018’s vision of authentic Games in the heart of the mountains, with the athletes and for the future."
He added: "We found the IOC’s input during the entire technical process to be invaluable and they have helped us refine our technical proposals to develop a plan that would benefit winter sports all over the globe.
"We believe this strong report will help us to convince the Olympic Family that Annecy offers the best possible and most nurturing home for the 2018 Winter and Paralympic Games.
"Games in the shadow of the Mont Blanc, using the profile of the world’s No1 winter sports destination, would provide a global platform for the Winter Olympics that would capture the imagination and benefit a generation of winter sports enthusiasts around the world."
Beigbeder promised: "In our presentation in Lausanne and the final weeks of the campaign we will be doing all we can to show the IOC we would be their best possible partners and that together we could create an unforgettable experience with long-lasting benefits in every continent."
Keywords · 2018 Winter Olympics · Beigbeder · Annecy
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