Madrid Community Government spokesperson Salvador Victoria revealed in an economic impact report that hosting the 2020 Olympics "would mean the creation of 50,000 full-time jobs for Madrid," according to AS. Victoria said hosting the Games would have "an impact" of €2.5M ($3.3M) on the regional GDP and "attract more than 800,000 additional tourists," with an estimated cost of €625M ($820M). The economic impact reported indicated that "Madrid would benefit the most from the IOC's decision on Saturday" and that jobs would be created starting from the first minute." The projected job creation "would equal 2% of the Madrid Community's total employment." The sections that would "be helped the most by hosting the Olympics would be construction, hospitality, professional services, retail, technical services and transportation." Victoria said that the 800,000 additional tourists "would visit the city leading up to and following the Games" (AS, 9/5).
MADRID WELL-REPRESENTED: In Madrid, Almudena Rivera reported that all Spanish athletes who have "traveled to Buenos Aires have a clear message: Madrid deserves the Games and the IOC will choose the Spanish project this time." In addition to the "athletes who made the trip, Spain's Education, Culture & Sports Minister José Ignacio Wert, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation José García-Margallo and Minister of Industry, Energy & Tourism Minister José Manuel Soria are also traveling to Buenos Aires." Various "presidents of Spanish athletic federations and 180 [Spanish] journalists" will also attend the IOC's decisive meeting (MARCA, 9/5).
BID RECEIVING RECORD SUPPORT: Also in Madrid, Gerardo Riquelme reported Madrid on Wednesday "reached a historic level of popular support after revealing that 96% of Spaniards outside Madrid support the city as the host of the 2020 Olympics." That number "drops to 91% in the Madrid Community and to 83% in the city itself, motivated by the inconveniences of hosting such an event." The level of Spanish support outside Madrid exceeds the 91% and 85% approval Spain indicated in '12 and '16, respectively. This "expresses the excitement that the possibility of hosting the Games means for the country." Spanish Olympic Committee President Alejandro Blanco said, "The responsibility does not increase because we have been accepting responsibility from the start, but it is marvelous to see that people are so excited" (MARCA, 9/5).
DECISION COULD SPEED CONSTRUCTION: Also in Madrid, D.G. Medina reported La Liga side Atlético Madrid "is not neglecting for one second the construction of La Peineta, which will be the team's new stadium within the next few seasons." In any case, Atlético is "anxious to learn the IOC's decision." If Madrid is chosen to host the 2020 Olympics, "the construction will have to speed up." It will be "key to have La Peineta finalized as early as possible for the Olympics" (MARCA, 9/5).
PRINCESS ARRIVES IN ARGENTINA: LA AFICION reported Spanish Princess Letizia arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday to add herself to the Spanish delegation promoting the Madrid 2020 bid, which her husband, Prince Felipe, is leading (LA AFICION, 9/5).
