Canada IOC exec Paul Henderson "figures that the odds
are getting better" for Toronto to host the '08 Summer
Olympics, according to Steve Buffery of the TORONTO SUN.
Henderson: "I think Toronto's chances of winning (initially)
was about 5%. Now I think (it has) about a 25% chance."
Henderson said that he feels the IOC wants a "hassle-free
Games" in '08, following the difficulties Athens is having
in preparation for the '04 event. Henderson: "Don't forget
IOC members have to spend one month in a hotel wherever the
Olympics are and that's a long time. ... If I was still
advising Toronto, I'd convince everybody (in the IOC) that
we're Sydney North. That if they came to Toronto, they'd
love it again. Tell them, 'If you want a reincarnation of
Sydney, Toronto can do it'" (TORONTO SUN, 12/21). Also in
Toronto, Jim Byers cites Henderson as saying that it is
still "too early to tell" who is leading the competition to
host the '08 Games. Henderson: "Every time I turn around I
hear a new theory. Technically, Toronto and Osaka are best.
But politically, Beijing and Paris are strongest" (TORONTO
STAR, 12/21). Istanbul is the fifth contender (THE DAILY).
STAY THE COURSE: IOC VP Anita DeFrantz "believes the
'04 Games will come off just fine." DeFrantz: "I accept the
reports I'm given. I haven't been over there in a year.
The [IOC] coordination committee believes they will get the
job done....The same thing happened with Barcelona [in '92].
A lot of people said they wouldn't finish on time and
Barcelona had a wonderful Games" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/21).
