Madrid bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics

Bids for the 2016 Summer Olympics
Overview · Rio de Janeiro Madrid · Tokyo · Chicago
2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics
Details
City	Madrid, Spain
Chair	Mercedes Coghen
NOC	Spanish Olympic Committee
Previous games hosted
None • Bid for 1972 and 2012 Spain hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics
Decision
Result	1st Runner-up (32 votes)
IOC score	8.1

The Madrid bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics was an unsuccessful campaign, first recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on September 14, 2007.^[1] The IOC shortlisted four of the seven applicant cities—Chicago, United States; Tokyo, Japan; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Madrid, Spain; over Baku, Azerbaijan; Doha, Qatar; and Prague, Czech Republic—on June 4, 2008 during a meeting in Athens, Greece.^[2][3][4] This was followed by an intensive bidding process which finished with the election of Rio de Janeiro at the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 2, 2009.^[5]

Alongside with Tokyo, Madrid earned the top scores during the Applicant phase, after a detailed study of the Applicant Files received by the IOC Working Group on January 14, 2008.^[6] Between May 4 and May 9, 2009, the IOC Evaluation Commission, led by Nawal El Moutawakel, arrived in Madrid to assess the conditions of the city.^[7][8] The Commission attended technical presentations, participated in question-and-answer sessions about the Candidature File and made inspections in all the existing venues across the city.^[9] Rio de Janeiro won the final round by a margin of 34 votes over Madrid in a three-round exhaustive ballot of the IOC.^[10]

The Spanish Olympic Committee (SOC) confirmed Madrid as its candidate city to host the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics on May 30, 2007.^[11] This is the city's second consecutive bid and its third failure, after two failed attempts for the 1972 and the 2012 Summer Olympics.^[12][13] Geographic issues were highlighted as a major problem for Madrid due to recent Olympic Games in Europe as the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom, and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.^[13][14] If successful, it would be the second Olympics hosted in Spain, after the 1992 Summer Olympics held in Barcelona.^[15]

Candidature process

Posters advertising the candidature during the Applicant phase.

After failing to achieve victory in the election process of the host city of the 2012 Summer Olympics, the city council of Madrid decided to nominate it a candidate to host the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics on July 3, 2006.^[16] The nomination was encouraged by statements of the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, that European cities would still have a chance to host the 2016 Olympic Games.^[16][17] The International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched the bidding process for the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics on May 16, 2007.^[18][19] On May 30, 2007, the candidature was formalized by the Spanish Olympic Committee (SOC) with claims to be "radically new" and more prepared than the city's last attempt to host the Olympics.^[20][21] The IOC announced that seven cities—Baku, Chicago, Doha, Madrid, Prague, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo—were submitted by their respective NOCs to bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.^[22] The Madrid bid committee attended the 2016 Applicant Cities' Seminar in Lausanne, Switzerland, on October 18, 2007, where it learnt more about the bidding process.^[23] The Application Files, which contain the answers and guarantees requested by the IOC's 2016 Candidature Acceptance Procedure and Questionnaire, were returned by all seven applicant cities to the IOC on January 14, 2008.^[24] The responses were studied by the IOC Working Group and the IOC Executive Board, at the latter meeting to decide which cities would be accepted as candidate cities.^[24][25]

On June 4, 2008, the IOC announced that Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, and Madrid were selected to the next bidding phase, during a meeting in Athens, Greece.^[26][27] This decision was based on a report by a special IOC Working Group of experts, after a thorough technical analysis of the projects presented on the files submitted by the applicant cities.^[2][28] Each city's potential for staging successful Summer Olympics and Paralympics in 2016 was assessed by the Working Group according to eleven criteria: government support, legal issues and public opinion; general infrastructure; sport venues; Olympic village; environment conditions and impact; accommodation; transport concept; safety and security; experience from past sport events; finance; and overall project and legacy.^[2] Between August 5 and August 26, 2008, the bidding committees from the four candidate cities participated in the Olympic Games Observer Program, during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.^[29][30] Madrid officials also followed the completion of the 2008 Summer Paralympics.^[31] The IOC announced that it had received the Candidature Files of all four candidate cities on February 12, 2009.^[32] The Madrid 2016 Candidate File has three volumes covering 600 pages divided into 17 topics, with 671 guarantees and 80 images.^[33] According to the Madrid bid committee, the dossier was produced by more than 150 people, who invested more than 16,000 hours of work.^[34] The front cover image includes the names of 350 of the 2,850 people who have been part of the formulation of the document.^[34][35]

Candidature concept

Madrid has a strong sports culture, hosting three football (soccer) teams and two basketball teams; the most successful being Real Madrid C.F. which plays in Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid hosted the 1982 FIFA World Cup final. The cycling classic Vuelta a España final stages are held in Madrid as Paris serves for the Tour de France.

Madrid's bid enjoyed extremely high levels of support from its citizens. A recent poll put Madrid's support levels at 92.6%, and 25,000 volunteers had signed up to demonstrate their support for the city's candidacy. ^[36] Madrid 2016 also had over 60 corporate sponsors.^[37]

A contest was run to submit a logo for the games. A number were chosen from which the public could vote, finalizing the final three. The official logo was revealed in late September 2007, which was elected by a group of experts. The logo is named "Corle" and represents a hand in the colors of the Olympics, welcoming foreigners to the games. The silhouette of an 'M', representing Madrid, is also hidden in the hand. It was designed by an Argentine, Joaquin Malle. The initial design was merely an outline of the hand; the final version bursts with color rings within the hand.

Madrid previously bid for the 2012 Olympics. Changes were made to the 2012 bid, while the city expected to build on its high reputation from its previous bids. In the 2012 bid, experts considered Madrid's bid very strong, and it actually placed first in the third round (before being eliminated in the fourth round). The 2012 bid was overall second in technical evaluation, with a rating of 8.3. Madrid was ranked first in seven categories: Government support, legal issues and public opinion; General infrastructure; Environment; Sports venues; Olympic Village; Transport concept; and Overall project and legacy.

When Madrid was promoted to the 2016 "Candidate City" phase in June 2008, it ranked second in the evaluation of the technical bid, with a score of 8.1 (on a 10 point scale). The city was ranked a close fourth on two predicting indice scales, primarily because of geographical factors. Coghen has emphasized in interviews that "cities, not continents" are chosen to host. Madrid repeatedly described itself as the "safe bid".

Candidature project

The competition venues for the Games would have been sited in two main clusters.

The Eastern zone would have been the location of the Olympic Stadium, Aquatic Centre, the Olympic Village, the Telefónica Arena (called before Madrid Arena and earlier Rockódromo de Casa de Campo, which would have held basketball events), and the IFEMA Fairgrounds (eight sports plus the Press Center).

The River Zone aside the Manzanares River would have hosted the venues for rowing, beach volleyball, archery, cycling, tennis, modern pentathlon, triathlon, equestrian and rhythmic gymnastics. After the games, the river bank would have become a public park celebrating sport, culture and music.^[38]

The city is currently completing new swimming and tennis venues (Caja Mágica - The Magic Box) and looking to expand and modernize existing sporting facilities.^[39] Bernabeu, and Estadio La Peineta are likely venues should Madrid win the games. A new center for sport with the aim of improving facilities for disabled athletes will also be created as part of the push for the Paralympic Games.^[40]

Results

After the selection of Rio de Janeiro on 2 October 2009, commentators agreed that Madrid had once again put forward a powerful bid with many positive aspects. One problem with the 2016 bid was Madrid's geographic location, as it occupied a position that followed the 2012 Summer Olympics to be held in London and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. This would have staged three Olympic games in Europe in a row, a historically uncommon occurrence.^[39]

See Also

• Madrid bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics
• Madrid bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics

References

1. ^ "All seven 2016 Applicant Cities return responses". International Olympic Committee. January 14, 2008. http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Media/?articleId=55228. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Four cities to compete to host the 2016 Olympic Games". International Olympic Committee. June 4, 2008. http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Media/?articleId=53256. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
3. ^ "Four on 2016 Olympics short-list". BBC. June 4, 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/7435215.stm. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
4. ^ "2016 Olympic Bid Short List Preview". GamesBids. June 3, 2008. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/2016_bid_news/1212537937.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
5. ^ "Rio de Janeiro Elected As 2016 Host City". International Olympic Committee. October 2, 2009. http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Media/?articleId=73322. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
6. ^ (PDF) 2016 Working Group Report, International Olympic Committee, March 14, 2008, http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_1317.pdf, retrieved March 2, 2010. 
7. ^ "2016 Games: Start of the Evaluation Commission Visits". International Olympic Committee. April 3, 2009. http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Media/?articleId=72342. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
8. ^ "IOC Evaluation Commission Arrives In Madrid". GamesBids. May 4, 2009. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/madrid_2016/1216134340.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
9. ^ "Madrid 2016 Presents Themes To IOC". GamesBids. May 6, 2009. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/madrid_2016/1216134347.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
10. ^ "Rio de Janeiro to host 2016 Olympics". CNN. October 2, 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/02/olympics.2016/index.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
11. ^ "SOC Assembly endorsed the candidature of Madrid 2016" (in Spanish). Spanish Olympic Committee. May 30, 2007. http://www.coe.es/web/Noticias.nsf/VNoticiasMesCOE/471A7357287F8FD9C12572EB00481957?opendocument&Query=NOTICIAS*1*-1(5. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
12. ^ "Madrid profile and fact sheet". GamesBids. http://www.gamesbids.com/english/bids/madrid2016.shtml. Retrieved March 2, 2010. ^{[dead link]}
13. ^ ^{a b} "Past failure makes Madrid's 2016 bid stronger: mayor". Reuters. June 5, 2008. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKSP20544120080605. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
14. ^ "Madrid Didn't Listen To Samaranch". GamesBids. October 5, 2009. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/madrid_2016/1216134751.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
15. ^ "Madrid 2016 Olympic bid has strongest public support - report". Reuters. September 1, 2009. http://in.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idINIndia-42127020090901. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
16. ^ ^{a b} "Madrid to make bid for 2016 Games". CNN. July 3, 2006. http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/07/03/olympics.madrid/index.html?section=cnn_latest. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
17. ^ "Spanish Government Supports Madrid 2016 Bid". GamesBids. July 5, 2006. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/other_news/1152115720.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
18. ^ "2016 Bid Process launched". International Olympic Committee. May 16, 2007. http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Media/?articleId=54787. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
19. ^ "The IOC Fires Starting Gun On Race for the 2016 Olympics". GamesBids. May 16, 2007. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/other_news/1179320845.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
20. ^ "Some Not Interested In Prague 2016 Bid - Madrid Is Spain’s Official 2016 Candidate". GamesBids. May 30, 2007. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/other_news/1180538581.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
21. ^ "Madrid Officials Want To Strengthen 2016 Summer Bid". GamesBids. April 19, 2007. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/other_news/1176997546.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
22. ^ "7 Applicant NOCs/Cities for the 2016 Olympic Games". International Olympic Committee. September 14, 2007. http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Media/?articleId=55035. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
23. ^ "Great expectations for the 2016 Applicant Cities". International Olympic Committee. October 18, 2007. http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Media/?articleId=55090. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
24. ^ ^{a b} "The 2016 Bid Process Explained". International Olympic Committee. October 2, 2009. http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Media/?articleId=73278. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
25. ^ "2016: Games For The Athletes?". International Olympic Committee. October 22, 2007. http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Media/?articleId=55100. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
26. ^ "Four Cities On IOC Shortlist For 2016 Games". GamesBids. June 4, 2008. http://gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/2016_bid_news/1212595175.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
27. ^ "IOC Selects Four Bid Cities for 2016". Around the Rings. June 4, 2008. http://www.aroundtherings.com/articles/view.aspx?id=27097. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
28. ^ "Four cities chosen as 2016 Games candidates". Reuters. June 4, 2008. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL3135321720080604. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
29. ^ "Sharp eyes on Beijing operations". International Olympic Committee. August 16, 2008. http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Media/?articleId=53470. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
30. ^ "Madrid 2016 Delegation In Beijing". GamesBids. August 6, 2008. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/madrid_2016/1216133583.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
31. ^ "Madrid 2016 To Learn From Beijing Paralympics". GamesBids. September 8, 2008. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/madrid_2016/1216133708.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
32. ^ "Candidature Procedure 2016 – All four candidate cities submit their files to the IOC". International Olympic Committee. February 12, 2009. http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Media/?articleId=72265. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
33. ^ ""Safest Choice" Madrid 2016 Presents File To IOC". GamesBids. February 11, 2009. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/madrid_2016/1216134102.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
34. ^ ^{a b} "Madrid 2016 Presents Candidature File At Press Conference". GamesBids. February 13, 2009. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/madrid_2016/1216134111.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
35. ^ "Madrid 2016 Presents Bid In 3D". GamesBids. February 19, 2009. http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/madrid_2016/1216134128.html. Retrieved March 2, 2010. 
36. ^ http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/madrid_2016/1216134185.html
37. ^ http://www.madrid2016.es/en/coi/empresascolaboradoras/Paginas/listadoempresas.aspx
38. ^ Madrid 2016 Extends Competition Venues Area
39. ^ ^{a b} Madrid bid for 2016 Olympics gets approval
40. ^ Spanish Olympic Committee approves Madrid's bid for 2016 Summer Games

External links

• Official website, Madrid bid committee (Closed), http://www.madrid2016.es/. 
• Official website, Spanish Olympic Committee (SOC), http://www.coe.es/. 
• Official website, International Olympic Committee (IOC), http://www.olympic.org/en/. 

• Official website, 121st IOC Session and 13th Olympic Congress, http://www.2009olympiccongress.com/international/en-gb/menu/home/ioc.htm. 

Official documents

• (PDF) Candidature Acceptance Procedure, (IOC), May 16, 2007, http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Reports/EN/en_report_1213.pdf. 
• (PDF) Working Group Report, (IOC), March 14, 2008, http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Reports/EN/en_report_1317.pdf. 
• (PDF) Candidature Procedure and Questionnaire, (IOC), June 4, 2008, http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Reports/EN/en_report_1318.pdf 
• (PDF) Report of the Evaluation Commission, (IOC), September 2, 2009, http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Reports/EN/en_report_1469.pdf.