Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman said that he would like to
recruit the NHL Rangers' Wayne Gretzky as a "marquee player"
in the city's quest for the 2008 Summer Games, according to
Ashante Infantry of the TORONTO STAR. Lastman has already
been in contact with Gretzky's agent, Michael Barnett, who
said he had "little doubt" Gretzky would be supportive of
Toronto's bid. However, Barnett "cautioned" that Gretzky's
family and professional obligations may "severely limit" his
availability (Ashante Infantry, TORONTO STAR, 5/13).
2008, A SPACE ODYSSEY: Lastman has arranged a meeting
with Johannesburg Mayor Isaac Mogase to lobby his support for
the Games. Lastman said he is "worried" Johannesburg might
launch its own Olympic bid "now that Cape Town's has stalled"
(TORONTO STAR, 5/14). In CO, Mike Spence reported that if
Toronto wins the 2008 Games, "no U.S. city will likely host a
summer Olympics until, probably, 2020." Spence added that
"it's hard ... to discount Toronto's chances" because it and
Osaka, Japan, are the only official bidders currently
(Colorado Springs GAZETTE TELEGRAPH, 5/10).
