Madrid 2016 in Oceania: Green Games, realistic and ready

3/31/2009

Queenstown, New Zealand: Representatives of the Madrid 2016 bid team bidding to host the Olympic & Paralympic Games have made their presentation to representatives of the Oceania National Olympic Committees in Queenstown, New Zealand. Their message was simple: that the Spanish project has guaranteed financial and popular backing, that it is realistic and on track, and that it will be the first true Green Games with its commitment to the environment and sustainability.

In addition to guaranteed funding, unrivalled sporting experience through hundreds of international events, and popular support at 92.6%, the Mayor emphasized the Spanish bid’s focus on sustainability. “Our whole project is committed to the environment,” he said, detailing how the Madrid Games would incorporate green fleets for transport, the regeneration of 800 hectares into new green spaces, and the use of renewable energy in all venues.

Bid CEO Mercedes Coghen, a former Olympic gold medallist herself, spoke about how their concept for the Olympic Village would be applied to the whole of Madrid, drawing everyone in as participants. They would claim their own city for sport and outdoor activity in a compact Games atmosphere with transport via a close and efficient network. “We want Madrid to be seen as the Green Games model,” she said. “A city where the energy will be renewable, the materials recyclable, and the transport completely public.”

María Teresa Samaranch, President of the Spanish Federation of Ice Sports, put forward that the safest choice for the 2016 Games was Madrid. Due to minimal investment required and the majority of venues already in place or underway, publicly guaranteed funds would ensure the project happened realistically and enable Madrid to realize its ‘Olympic dream’.

“Madrid will become a better city through the values of the Olympic movement,” she continued. “It is time for Madrid and time for Spain, to show how sport can be a positive force for change in modern society.”

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