2012 Olympics...let Madrid have 'em

The International Olympic Committee has started their monthlong tour of the 5 cities vying for the 2012 Olympics. Madrid and New York are two of the front runners. I hope Madrid gets them The last thing I want is the crowd, security concern and all the other headaches that come along with hosting the Olympic games. What's the feeling in Madrid ? Is it a touchy subject ? Most peopel I know in New York and New Jersey are totally against it.
I Actually can't fathom how a city like Madrid would be able to handle it logistics-wise. But I guess Athens showed us that anything, and I mean anything, is possible. Especially with all those tourist dollars that will surely accompany the games.

The city is prepared, politicians and Madrid's citizens support it widely,... but we know we are in the third place after London and Paris.

Frankly, I think that it would be a boom for our city (I mean a boom over the boom we have had in recent years) to have the Olympic Games. The city is enough than prepared because we have the experience from Barcelona.

Fernando

Whilst it would be nice to see the Olympics come to Madrid, I personally believe the likelyhood is very low. The main reason being simply that Spain hosted the Olympics in 1992 in Barcelona.

I know that Barcelona is not Madrid but it should be understood that saying this to an Englishman would be like comparing Manchester to London.

Paris staged the FIFA World Cup a few years back and did a good job and for this reason I think they are odds on favourites.

Sorry guys.

M.

There are posters all over town trying to convince us that we support it! I know a lot of people who don't want it, but I haven't seen opinion polls on the subject. I'm also hoping some other city gets it - I can't stand the Olympics and all the hullabaloo. Anyway, why should we have to wait fior a ridiculous event like this for the authorities to invest in infrastructures and improve the city? Are those of us who live here all the time simply not deserving enouigh?

Because Olympic Games bring literally millions of tourists as well and mean a great publicity that reaches about 1,500 million people all over the world.

Without the benefits from tourists, investments can't be done with the hope of having some return.

Anyone who has seen the boom Barcelona had with the 1992 Olympic Games knows the effects they had on the city and on the increasment of tourists. Unfortunately, Madrid is not a main tourist destination in Spain.

Fernando

A buddy of mine who lives in Athens said that improvements were made, but at the cost of people being forced to move because they could no longer afford to live in the areas that were fixed up for the olympics.

The mayor of New York City is using the slight possibility of our getting the 2012 Olympics as an excuse for building a very expensive football stadium for the NY Jets largely at taxpayer expense. Personally I hope another city will "win" the games.

According to what I've been seeing - so far, Madrid is running a close second to Paris - London is third. I have to agree with a lot of the comments posted previously about the development, etc. - but I think everyone has to respect Madrid in that they are pushing the "green" - environmentally friendly - aspect of their bid. Guess no definitive answer on who wins for a few months ....

I hope Madrid gets it. That would mean they'll fix Barajas, or do something about that pitiful airport (no offense madrileños, we all know is in need of help)

In fact they are building a new terminal (one kilometer long) and two landing pathways that will more than double the airport's capacity. There will also be a train/subway to connect all the terminals.

Barajas will be real big... but they are already thinking of building a new bigger airport...

Fernando

I would love Madrid to get the Olympics. However, I just read in the sports section of the Los Angeles Times that Madrid's chances may be in jeapordy, due to the racial incidences that have been plaguing soccer games in Spain. That would be truly sad too see!

Here the UK, with a general election coming up, one of the main political parties has been trying to stir up anti-foreigner and anti-immigrant feelings (coming straight after a debate over binge-drinking and hooligan behaviour, where no-one mentioned this is white British behaviour). This will not help the London campaign one bit, so maybe Paris has to be seen as the favourite. Funnily enough the man responsible Michael Howard (leader of the Conservative party) is believed to be here because his grandfather was an illegal immigrant fleeing persecution in the 30s.
I personally am not too much in favour of the Olympics coming to Madrid. Firstly because the summer temperatures there make it uncomfortable both for athletes and spectators. Secondly (and perhaps more importantly) because it would increase the risk of more terrorists targeting Madrid. In a way this is letting the terrorists win, but people's lives are more important than a prestige event. Having said all this I think the transport system and lower cost of living make it a far better venue than London could hope to be.

Looks like London is now a serious contender again. They put on a very good show for the Olympic inspectors. One wonders though how realistic any of their fact-finding missions are likely to be. For instance in London the inspectors were given a ride in an empty, clean tube train, which as anyone who has been there can tell you is not representative.
It's said that if London wins, the cost of the Games will be placed on London local tax payers (via the loved community charge). Would this be the case if Madrid were to win?

Here's what Ladbrokes thinks:

Specials - Olympic Specials

Which city will host the 2012 Olympics?

Paris 4/9
London 2/1
Madrid 14/1
New York 16/1
Moscow 40/1

2005-07-05 18:00:00

Amen, Barry.