LOCOG Chair Sebastian Coe Tuesday “delivered his final progress report
and said five promises that he had made in 2005 had guided their
seven-year journey,” according to Owen Gibson of the GUARDIAN. Coe said,
"On that day we made five promises: athletes at the centre of the
project, iconic new, temporary and existing venues, magical atmosphere
in full venues, inspire youth and lasting legacy." Coe was “joined by
the 20 schoolchildren who accompanied the party in Singapore and
underlined the bid commitment to engage with the youth of the world.” He
said that young people selected from LOCOG’s programs “would play an
important part in Friday's opening ceremony, such as in the guard of
honour.” Construction workers involved in the building of the Olympic
Stadium are “also expected to play a role.” Coe said that the London
Games “had not only created a sports legacy for the country but also
helped regenerate east London.” Coe: "We have built a new city inside an
old city. Always with an eye for value for money. The economic dividend
is clear" (GUARDIAN, 7/25).
The AP’s Stephen Wilson noted Coe received a “warm ovation from the
delegates.” IOC President Jacques Rogge said, "The preparation phase was
definitely a great success -- now comes the crucial delivery phase. I
remain very optimistic." IOC Coordination Commissioner Chair Denis
Oswald said that London had “done more than other previous hosts to
deliver on its bid pledges” (AP, 7/24).
Coe in his address said, “In me, and all my team, I sense the
competitive edge now. We have been doing this a long time. Now let’s get
on with it. We are ready.” In London, Paul Kelso wrote no Olympic
organizing committee chair has “ever been so personally associated with
the success of a Games, and few have worked harder to deliver what they
promised.” Coe has “always been a compelling advocate for the power of
sport, but London has given him the stage.” He has been “a tireless
frontman for the project” (TELEGRAPH, 7/25).
RAISING THE BAR? The GLOBE & MAIL’s Paul Waldie
noted IOC officials “gathered for their 124th annual meeting in the
elegant calm at the five-star Grosvenor House Hotel, a bit smug over
their full coffers and special privileges.” The “entire city seems to be
at the IOC’s beck and call,” and the “fine trappings are befitting an
organization long criticized for being corrupt, secretive and the
epitome of an old boys’ network.” Waldie: “One look at the IOC
membership and it’s easy to see why this group expects the best.” There
were “few quibbles or complaints to disturb the tranquility of the IOC
annual meeting.” Canadian IOC member Dick Pound did “raise concerns
about the duration” of the Opening Ceremony. U.S. IOC member Anita
DeFrantz also “lamented the lack of women in the organization.” In a
presentation yesterday, she noted that just 3% of “national Olympic
organizations have a female president and only 20% of IOC
members are women.” She “urged all organizations to do more.” Still,
Waldie writes the “overall tone of the meeting Tuesday was of control
and order.” Rogge “directed the proceedings, introducing a series of
presentations by various officials and selecting questions from members”
(GLOBE & MAIL, 7/25).
In London, Charles Sale noted London’s stock among IOC “top brass is
high” after the meeting. It also helped that the IOC “bigwigs had
enjoyed mostly pain-free journeys from Heathrow to their Park Lane
Hilton base” (DAILY MAIL, 7/25).
RETURN TO NORMALCY: USA TODAY’s Christine Brennan
wrote after the IOC “sold its soul to give the Games to Beijing and the
authoritarian and repressive Chinese regime in '08, the Summer
Olympics are coming back to an open, free and democratic society.” They
are “coming back to a place where they belong, to a country and city
that is encouraging its citizens to celebrate with it rather than
keeping them away from venues with police crime-scene tape or detaining
or arresting them” (USA TODAY, 7/25).
SPEED IT UP: The GUARDIAN’s Gibson
reported the IOC will “brief all competing nations on Thursday in an
attempt to avoid them dragging their feet " at the Opening Ceremony.
There is a feeling that the “parade of athletes at recent Games has
become too unwieldy,” and the IOC and LOCOG officials are “keen that all
teams make their way round the stadium at a reasonable speed.”
Officials reportedly have “come up with various ‘devices’ to ensure that
the athletes maintain an even pace.” Organizers want to “ensure that it
finishes by its allotted time of 12.30am at the latest and all
spectators are able to get home” (GUARDIAN, 7/25).
Meanwhile, in N.Y., Filip Bondy writes under the header, “By Ignoring
Munich Olympic Massacre, Jacques Rogge Plays Games With Tragedy And
Memories.” NBC’s Bob Costas plans to “offer his own remembrance on NBC
marking the early 40 years since the Munich massacre.” However Rogge
“will remain silent, but for the wrong reasons: diplomacy, and fear” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/25).
OFF TO THE RACES: In London, Ashling O’Connor reported Coe has declared that he “wants to be president of the International
Association of Athletics Federations.” Coe will run against former
Russian pole vaulter Sergei Bubka "in a race to run the sport that made
both men famous.” Coe said, “I’m ready. I know how to do this. But we
have a great president in the post, so it would be when he stands down.”
IAAF President Lamine Diack was re-elected unopposed in August for a
final four-year term, ending in ’15. Coe is “likely to face competition
from Bubka.” Both are IAAF VPs and “were entered into the hall of fame
last month to mark the organisation’s centenary.” Coe has “long been
touted as a successor to Diack but has always avoided answering the
question over his ambitions” (LONDON TIMES, 7/25).
