Five French trade unions, including the CGT and CFDT, have delivered a declaration to the mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, supporting Paris's bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
The Paris 2012 bid leader, Philippe Baudillon, is quoted as saying:
"A candidature can only work if everyone is informed and up to date ... whether it is the ecologists or the unions..It is an open discussion and never closed."
This sudden burst of enthusiasm is in marked contrast to the strikes and street protests against government policies that crippled public transport, during March, when the IOC delegation visited Paris.
Doubtless money, and the fact that French political pride has been wounded by the death of the EU Constitution, has more than a little to do with this volte face.
Wednesday, 22 June 2005
China Pushes Ahead
The Chinese are proving to be no laggards, when it comes to organising the 2008 Olympics.
Putting many previous host countries to shame, the Chinese will being formulating their plans for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics this year.
The tickets for the 2008 Olympic Games will be going on sale in 2006.
A production team for the ceremonies will be selected in September. The Chinese are working on a spectacular opening ceremony, which is hoped will outdo all previous ceremonies.
Putting many previous host countries to shame, the Chinese will being formulating their plans for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics this year.
The tickets for the 2008 Olympic Games will be going on sale in 2006.
A production team for the ceremonies will be selected in September. The Chinese are working on a spectacular opening ceremony, which is hoped will outdo all previous ceremonies.
Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Ali Backs Olympic Bid
Muhammad Ali, the former world heavyweight champion, will form part of the USA delegation in Singapore when the International Olympic Committee picks the 2012 host city July 6.
Ali won a gold medal in the 1960 Rome Olympics, and lit the cauldron in the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Ali is quoted as saying:
"When I look back and remember my greatest, most exciting moments as a boxer, competing in New York and competing in the Olympics are at the top of that list. To bring them together and hold the Games in New York City would be unforgettable for everyone involved, including myself."
Ali won a gold medal in the 1960 Rome Olympics, and lit the cauldron in the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Ali is quoted as saying:
"When I look back and remember my greatest, most exciting moments as a boxer, competing in New York and competing in the Olympics are at the top of that list. To bring them together and hold the Games in New York City would be unforgettable for everyone involved, including myself."
Monday, 20 June 2005
Race For 2012 Games Hots Up
New York's chances for hosting the 2012 Olympics are still strong.
That is according to the Around the Rings Olympics Bid Power Index.
The index ranks Olympic bid cities based on inspections by the IOC and Around the Rings, bid books and bid strategies.
Paris is top, with a score of 89 out of 110.
London has 87 and New York 83.
Madrid comes in with 74, and Moscow trails at 64.
That is according to the Around the Rings Olympics Bid Power Index.
The index ranks Olympic bid cities based on inspections by the IOC and Around the Rings, bid books and bid strategies.
Paris is top, with a score of 89 out of 110.
London has 87 and New York 83.
Madrid comes in with 74, and Moscow trails at 64.
Friday, 17 June 2005
Helicopter Crash At Turin
A helicopter crashed Thursday on the slalom ski slope for the 2006 Winter Olympics, in Turin.
The pilot and a worker on the ground were injured, but not seriously.
The helicopter was carrying light poles to illuminate the slope in Sestriere at night during the games.
The pilot and a worker on the ground were injured, but not seriously.
The helicopter was carrying light poles to illuminate the slope in Sestriere at night during the games.
Thursday, 16 June 2005
Kenteris Saga Continues
Those of you with long memories may recall the sorry tale of Greek sprinter Kostas Kenteris and his partner, Katerina Thanou, who fell foul of the doping rules in the 2004 Olympics.
Well, th is sorry saga is not yet over.
Kenteris had to testify in front of a prosecutor yesterday, on charges of avoiding a doping test on the eve of the 2004 Olympics and faking the now infamous motorcycle accident hours later.
Thanou and coach Christos Tzekos have already given their testimony, on June 6.
Kenteris' lawyer, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, is quoted as saying:
"Kenteris was set free without any conditions because there was not even the slightest indication that he committed the acts that are accredited to him,".
Doubtless this will go on and on.
Well, th is sorry saga is not yet over.
Kenteris had to testify in front of a prosecutor yesterday, on charges of avoiding a doping test on the eve of the 2004 Olympics and faking the now infamous motorcycle accident hours later.
Thanou and coach Christos Tzekos have already given their testimony, on June 6.
Kenteris' lawyer, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, is quoted as saying:
"Kenteris was set free without any conditions because there was not even the slightest indication that he committed the acts that are accredited to him,".
Doubtless this will go on and on.
Wednesday, 15 June 2005
New York Race
New York is racing to revise its plans for the bid for the 2012 Olympics.
Specifically it is rushing to complete new plans for a stadium in Queens, at a cost of $600M, after the West Side stadium plan was vetoed.
The NYC2012 bid committee executive director, Jay Kriegel, has said that the team are working flat out to complete the new plans; which he hopes will be ready by next week.
Quote:
"We have no question that this plan technically will be outstanding, will demonstrate the games will be an outstanding games,".
Both Kriegel and Mayor Bloomberg are hoping that the IOC appreciate that New York has managed to recover quickly, after the original plan collapsed.
Kriegel is quoted as saying:
"Faced with adversity, New York has gotten back up off the mat very quickly and has demonstrated the capacity to put something big, bold and incredibly complicated together in just a few days,".
Specifically it is rushing to complete new plans for a stadium in Queens, at a cost of $600M, after the West Side stadium plan was vetoed.
The NYC2012 bid committee executive director, Jay Kriegel, has said that the team are working flat out to complete the new plans; which he hopes will be ready by next week.
Quote:
"We have no question that this plan technically will be outstanding, will demonstrate the games will be an outstanding games,".
Both Kriegel and Mayor Bloomberg are hoping that the IOC appreciate that New York has managed to recover quickly, after the original plan collapsed.
Kriegel is quoted as saying:
"Faced with adversity, New York has gotten back up off the mat very quickly and has demonstrated the capacity to put something big, bold and incredibly complicated together in just a few days,".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)