Sizing Up The 2016 Candidates At A Glance: Madrid
By Karl Klockars in News on Sep 30, 2009 5:00PM
This week, as we prepare for Friday's announcement of the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics, we'll feature a quick look at each city's proposed venues and bid. Today, we check out Madrid. Previously: Chicago and Tokyo.
History
Madrid has twice been considered for the Summer Olympics: for the 2012 Games which eventually went to London, and also the 1972 Games which went to Munich, Germany.
Cost of Bid
The Madrid 2016 bid committee projected a $40.4 million cost. The BBC reported that the projected cost of Madrid's bid would be closer to $42 million USD. The bid is completely underwritten by the government.
Proposed Games Cost
The Madrid 2016 committee claims a projected cost of $6.1 billion, with complete government backing and 65 corporate sponsors.
Venues
Preexisting, No Permanent Work Required
Casa de Campo Center (cycling / mountain biking / triathalon), Club Campo Villa de Madrid (Pentathlon / Archery), IFEMA Exhibition Center Pavilion 10 (Taekwondo / Judo), IFEMA Exhibition Center Pavilion 12 (Wrestling), IFEMA Exhibition Center Pavilion 3 (Weightlifting), IFEMA Exhibition Center Pavilion 4 (Fencing), IFEMA Exhibition Center Pavilion 6 (Badminton), IFEMA Exhibition Center Pavilion 7 (Table Tennis), IFEMA Exhibition Center Pavilion 8 (Boxing), IFEMA Exhibition Center Pavilion 9 (Table Tennis), La Rosaleda Stadium (Soccer/Football), Madrid Arena Pavilion (Handball), Olympic Stadium of Montjuïc (Soccer/Football), Palacio de Deportes (Judo/Taekwondo), Palma de Mallorca Stadium (Soccer/Football), Santiago Bernabeu Stadium (Soccer/Football)
Preexisting, Permanent Work Required
Arcángel M. Stadium (Soccer/Football), La Zarzuela Hippodrome (Equestrian), Manzanares Park Tennis Center (Tennis), Olympic Stadium (Athletics), Stadium Romano (Soccer/Football), Valencia Regatta Field (Sailing)
New (Permanent)
Aquatic Centre (Swimming), BMX Circuit (Biking), Coslada Volleyball Pavilion (Volleyball - Track), Olympic Hockey Center (Field Hockey), Olympic Pavilion (Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampoline Gymnastics), Olympic Shooting Center - Paracuellos (Rifle & pistol shooting, Skeet Shooting), Olympic Velodrome (Cycling), Parque de la Gavia Whitewater Course (Slalom Canoeing), Real Madrid’s Basketball Pavilion (Basketball), South Madrid/Getafe Rowing and Canoe/Kayak Channel (Rowing & Canoeing)
New (Temporary)
Beach Volleyball Venue (Beach Volleyball), Madrid Urban Circuit for Cycling (Road Cycling
Pros
Though they lost out to London, Madrid had first-place rankings from the IOC in seven categories for their 2012 bid...77 percent of the Olympic sites are already constructed, with most only requiring remodeling...A full 92 percent of the population backs the games, with rallies attended by thousands in support of the Olympic Bid...The competition venues are mostly centrally located with a strong public transportation system, including a 13-line train system and 23-hours-a-day buses...Madrid is a sports-friendly city with 3 professional soccer/football teams and successfully hosted the 2007 Pan Am Games...King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, flamenco dancer/model Sara Baras, and players from Real Madrid are in Copenhagen to back the bid
Cons
They still lost the 2012 bid to London...Barcelona already hosted the games in 1992, just 400 miles from Madrid...London has the 2012 Games and Russia hosts the 2014 Winter Games, so the IOC isn't likely to look to Europe for 2016...An AP report claims Madrid has an astronomical debt...China Daily reports that racist taunts against athletes is a concern to the Madrid bid chief, and an offensive ad where athletes pulled their eyes "to look asian" fueled those concerns...Security concerns about bombings from Basque separatists also exist, especially in the wake of the 2004 bombings...Questions have also been raised about the Spanish dedication to preventing athlete doping.