“Madrid Is Ready” For 2016

“Madrid Is Ready” Proclaims Bid Team AS IOC Evaluators Arrive

Madrid, 5 May 2009 - Madrid’s 2016 bid team today announced that the city is ready to host the 2016 Games, as the IOC Evaluation Commission begins its visit.

“This week, we will show the IOC and the world’s media that Madrid has everything in place for 2016,” said Mercedes Coghen, the bid team’s chief executive.

During the IOC Evaluation Commission’s visit, Madrid 2016 will highlight that:

77% of the required venues already exist, with construction work well underway on the 65,000 capacity Olympic stadium

Ambitious inner-city environmental redevelopments have commenced, which will ultimately result in the creation of a new 2,200 hectare ‘Green Corridor’

A comprehensive legacy plan is in place, with a remit that includes delivering imaginative regeneration projects, such as transforming the Olympic Village into an extensive mixed-use development and relocating the Media Village to provide new social housing.

“Collectively, we are so well-advanced in our plans that Madrid could readily host the Games in 2012, as well as 2016,” commented Ms Coghen.

Madrid 2016 will also set out the bid’s strong financial position to its IOC guests, a key strength that was highlighted by Spain’s Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

“Let me be clear, the government has given the bid a legal undertaking to provide whatever it costs to stage the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Madrid in 2016,” he said.

The IOC Evaluation Commission is in Madrid from 5-8 May 2009. During their stay, the Commission’s members will visit key 2016 Games sites, as well as meet senior representatives from Madrid’s bid team, national and regional political parties and the Spanish Royal Family.

ENDS

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