Press Release: Madrid 2016 welcomes creation of Ministry of Sport in next Spanish reshuffle

11/27/2008

 27 November 2008 - The leaders of the Madrid 2016 Olympic bid today welcomed the news that Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero will create an exclusive Ministry of Sport in his next parliamentary reshuffle.

At a reception at the Moncloa Palace, his official residence, the head of the Spanish government responded to encouragement from winning Davis Cup captain Emilio Sánchez Vicario to reform the independent ministry and review sporting law, agreeing that Spain's current sporting excellence made this a reality.

Members of the triumphant tennis squad were present, including Feliciano López, Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer and Marcel Granollers, along with fellow champions Rafa Nadal and Nicolás Almagro.

This is fantastic news for Spain, for Spanish sport and for the Madrid Olympic bid, said Madrid 2016 bid leader Mercedes Coghen. Sport has gained an importance through its international recognition as much as for the benefits it holds for both individuals and society. The Spanish government and all State departments are working to achieve the acknowledgement of Madrid as a successful Olympic host city. This is a further step and represents the commitment of the Prime Minister to the Olympic Games and their preparation as a priority project to benefit everyone in Spain and beyond.

Like other European countries, sporting policy in Spain is currently linked with the Ministry of Culture. Sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky, who was also present at the Moncloa reception is one of the faces of Spain's Olympic bid.

As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.

These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

Your complete source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only.

(Copyright 1992 2008, all rights reserved. The information in this report may not be published, excerpted, or otherwise distributed in print or broadcast without the express prior consent of Around the Rings.)