London Hopes IOC Will Approve Plans To Scale Back Venues For '12

IOC Coordination Commission Set To Visit London For First Time In Almost A Year

The IOC Coordination Commission starting today will tour London ahead of the '12 Olympics, and the inspectors will be "asked to support proposed changes" to venues for the Games, according to Paul Kelso of the London TELEGRAPH. During the three-day tour, the commission "will receive detailed updates on all areas of London's planning, but the global economic downturn will set the tone." The group will be "offered reassurances that the recession is not impeding progress, and asked to sign-off plans to cancel construction of a temporary arena" that was slated to house rhythmic gymnastics and badminton. The IOC reportedly is "broadly supportive of moves to save money, but it will seek reassurance that the various sports' governing bodies are in favour of the changes" (London TELEGRAPH, 4/21).

DEJA VU: In Chicago, Philip Hersh reports the IOC Evaluation Commission Sunday concluded its examination of Tokyo's bid for the '16 Games, closing with a news conference that "echoed the one given in Chicago two weeks ago." IOC Evaluation Commission Chair Nawal El Moutawakel "left little doubt much of this is scripted, so similar were her words in the two cities." But Hersh notes "that is by design." After the Chicago tour, El Moutawakel said, "We have been most impressed to find what Chicago could offer to the Olympic Games and the Olympic movement." El Moutawakel Sunday said, "We have been most impressed to find what Tokyo could offer to the Olympic Games." The commission has maintained that it will "draw no public comparisons until its report" on the four finalists is issued in September (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/21).

IT'S GETTING COLDER: In Portland, Richard Read reports VANOC officials "slash Olympics frills as they squeeze final pledges from sponsors," adding to "fallout from the global recession." VANOC Exec VP/Revenue, Marketing & Communications David Cobb: "We are fighting for every dollar now. Every organization we deal with is under more stress and more strain." City officials acknowledge there have been "cutbacks as the Games' total cost approaches" $5B. There are no longer plans to "wrap office towers, as Salt Lake City did in 2002, with giant sports images," while "four-color glossy brochures" no longer will be produced (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/21).