The Coordination Commission had the opportunity to visit all venues in Innsbruck and Seefeld that will stage the 63 events in seven sports.

IYOGOC presented its updated Youth Olympic Village concept which defines the location of dining facilities and services for NOC delegations at Innsbruck Congress Centre alongside the Culture and Education Programme (CEP) activities. The members* of the Coordination Commission are convinced that this combination of facilities will foster a sociable and highly interactive atmosphere where athletes will be able to live together and learn in optimal conditions.

The Organising Committee presented its initial CEP concept and how it intends to reach out to young people both digitally and physically through partnerships such as Tirol Marketing Service. “The Youth Olympic Games shall be a great experience not only for the athletes, but also for the whole Tyrolean community,” said Tyrolean Vice-Governor Hannes Gschwentner.

One of the greatest challenges faced by IYOGOC will be the timely construction of the apartment buildings that will constitute the residential zone of the Youth Olympic Village. The project will require close monitoring and collaboration between the Organising Committee and the developers to ensure that construction and planning are well integrated.

”Presentations were of a high standard and we have the feeling that our partners in Innsbruck have well understood the mission entrusted to them. With only two years to go before the opening of the Games, we will have to keep up both pace and vigilance with regards to preparations,” concluded Gian-Franco Kasper.

During preparations, Innsbruck will of course also benefit from the experience of the 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore from 14 to 26 August 2010.

The Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, to be held between 13 and 22 January 2012, will bring together 1,048 athletes between 14 and 18 years of age from approximately 80 National Olympic Committees to compete in the seven sports on the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games programme. A fully fledged education programme will raise participants’ awareness of the Olympic values and topics like healthy lifestyles and the fight against doping. A number of communications initiatives will link the youth of the world with the event. A culture programme will ensure a festive and pleasant atmosphere within the host city.

*Members of the Coordination Commission: Gian-Franco Kasper, IOC member and Chairman; Ottavio Cinquanta, IOC member; Pernilla Wiberg, IOC member; Rebecca Scott, IOC member; Victor Khotochkin, NOC representative; Robert Storey**, IF representative; Janko Dvorsak, EYOF Coordination Commission member; and Gilbert Felli, IOC Olympic Games Executive Director. The Coordination Commission is the group of representatives from the IOC and the Olympic Movement who will be monitoring the Youth Olympic Games preparations and guiding the Innsbruck Organising Committee.

(** not present at the 1st Coordination Commission meeting in Innsbruck)

The three Applicant Cities will now proceed to Phase 1 of the IOC’s two-step procedure, which will lead to the election of the 2018 host city in Durban, South Africa, in July 2011.

• Phase 1, known as the Candidature Acceptance Procedure, involves a thorough review by the IOC of each city’s potential to organise successful Olympic Winter Games in 2018. Cities are required to answer a questionnaire, and their answers are studied by the IOC. At the end of this first phase, the IOC Executive Board selects the cities that will become Candidate Cities and therefore move on to Phase 2.

• During Phase 2, known as the Candidature Procedure, Candidate Cities will be requested to submit their Candidature File – which is an in-depth description of their Olympic project – and will be subject to a technical assessment made by a visiting team – the IOC Evaluation Commission. The IOC Evaluation Commission’s appraisal will be published in a report, and sent to the IOC members no later than one month before they cast their vote on 6 July 2011. The report will also be available to the public on olympic.org.

Information on the Candidature Acceptance Procedure, including the questionnaire to which Applicant Cities must respond by 15 March 2010 and the rules applicable to this process, can be found at www.olympic.org.

KEY DATES
PHASE 1
IOC information seminar for 2018 Applicant Cities – 2-5 December 2009
Applicant Cities to participate in Olympic Games Observer Programme – Vancouver 2010 – 12-28 February 2010
Applicant Cities to reply to IOC questionnaire - 15 March 2010
IOC Executive Board meeting to select Candidate Cities for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games End  – June 2010

PHASE 2
Submission of Candidature Files to the IOC  - 11 January 2011
Report by the 2018 IOC Evaluation Commission published - By 6 June 2011
Election of the host city of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the 123rd IOC Session, Durban  - 6 July 2011

* The cities will be listed in alphabetical order until such time as the official drawing of lots is carried out by the IOC Executive Board. The order of drawing of lots will then be used until the election of the 2018 host city.

“Both golf and rugby are very popular sports with global appeal and a strong ethic,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge. “They will be great additions to the Games.”

The two sports, voted on separately in alphabetical order of the sports, golf then rugby, received a simple majority of votes cast by the members of the Session. The result of the first vote was not revealed to the Session until the vote for the second sport had taken place. The IOC President elected not to take part in the vote.

“The International Golf Federation is absolutely delighted by today’s results. We thank the IOC for the thorough process and we are looking forward to playing our part as a member of the Olympic Movement,” said Peter Dawson, Secretary General of the International Golf Federation. “This is great for golf and we hope to be of great benefit to the Olympic Games as well.”

Bernard Lapasset, President of the International Rugby Board, said: “I am so delighted and proud. My thanks to the IOC members for their wonderful support. Rugby is honoured to be a part of the Olympic Sports Programme and we are already looking forward to Rio 2016.”

Golf was played at the Games in 1900 in Paris and in 1904 in St Louis, while rugby was part of the programme of four editions of the Games between 1900 and 1924.

In addition to the two new sports, the Session also voted to accept the list of 26 core sports on the programme for the Olympic Games in 2016.

During the 119th Session in Guatemala City in 2007, the IOC approved a simplified voting process for new sports to enter the programme. The IOC members also requested guidance from the EB in the selection of the new sports and entrusted it to make a proposal to the Session based on the work of the Olympic Programme Commission.

In 2002, the IOC decided to conduct a systematic review of the Olympic programme after every edition of the Games to ensure that it remains exciting and relevant.

After thanking the IOC members for their continued support, Rogge outlined an ambitious second-term agenda to strengthen and improve the Olympic Movement.

“We have much more to do,” he told his colleagues. Rogge said one of his top priorities is be to implement the recommendations of the recently completed XIII Congress. He also emphasised the importance of the new Youth Olympic Games, which will debut in Singapore in August, followed by the Youth Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck in 2012

“We will take this initiative from infancy to maturity and leave a lasting legacy for the world’s youth,” he said. “We will safeguard and strengthen our assets, and improve our framework for sharing revenues.

“We will continue to support National Olympic Committees and the International Federations, and we will defend the autonomy of sport wherever it is threatened.

“We will be staunch allies for athletes. We will continue to lead the fight against doping, and we will establish a new independent monitoring body to combat irregular betting and match fixing.
“We will narrow the gap in sport between the developed and the developing worlds; and between men and women.

“We will redouble our efforts to place sport at the service of mankind — to inspire young and old alike; to give athletes the opportunity to lead by example; and promote the Olympic values of fair play, respect, solidarity and the pursuit of excellence.”

Rogge, who was first elected at the 112th IOC Session in Moscow in 2001, is the eighth IOC President. The IOC has undertaken a series of reforms during his tenure to improve IOC governance and maintain the Games as the world’s premier sporting event.

The changes include a more structured system to routinely review and refresh the Olympic sports programme; improvements in judging and refereeing; an aggressive anti-doping programme; and steps to restrain the size and cost of the Games.

The IOC has quadrupled its financial reserves during Rogge’s term — from $105 million in 2001 to well over $400 million today — while distributing record revenue to International Federations, National Olympic Committees and the Olympic Solidarity programme, which offers financial and training assistance to athletes.

Other initiatives have sought to spread the Olympic values through programmes in the fields of education, culture, women’s advancement, the environment and Sport for All. The IOC adopted the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and the environmental goals of Agenda 21, and forged closer ties with the UN to support the Olympic Truce, development through sport, education, humanitarian aid and health protection around the world.

Rogge has long and varied experience with the Olympic Movement. He competed in the sailing competitions at the Games of the Olympiad in Mexico in 1968, Munich in 1972 and Montreal in 1976. He was also a member of the Belgian national rugby team.

He served as President of the Belgian National Olympic Committee from 1989 to 1992. He became President of the European Olympic Committees in 1989, an IOC member in 1991 and an Executive Board member in 1998.

Rogge, 67, was born in Ghent, Belgium, and is an orthopaedic surgeon by profession. He and his wife, Anne, have two adult children.

Rogge is the first IOC President to serve under terms limits approved by the IOC Executive Board in late 1999. Presidents are restricted to an eight-year term, followed by a single four-year term.

IOC President Jacques Rogge congratulated Rio de Janeiro on its election and praised the high quality of the bid, “I would like to congratulate the city of Rio de Janeiro on its election as the host of the 2016 Olympic Games. Rio de Janeiro presented the IOC with a very strong technical bid, built upon a vision of the Games being a celebration of the athletes and sport, as well as providing the opportunity for the city, region and country to deliver their broader long-term aspirations for the future. This call to “live your passion” clearly struck a chord with my fellow members and we now look forward to seeing Rio de Janeiro stage the first Olympic Games on the continent of South America. Well done, Rio!”

( source IOC Media)

Rogge also thanked the other competing cities of Chicago (USA), Tokyo (Japan) and Madrid (Spain), “Unfortunately, there can only be one victor in this competition and I’d like to thank the cities of Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid for participating. Their projects and dedication to spreading the Olympic values throughout their countries and beyond has been outstanding. Despite not being elected today, these cities have all seen the benefit of being candidates for the Games. I would like to congratulate them all for their efforts and for their commitment to the Olympic Movement.”

Results:

ROUND 1 :
MADRID:                                  28
RIO DE JANEIRO:                  26
TOKYO:                                    22
CHICAGO:                               18

ROUND 2:
RIO DE JANEIRO:                  46
MADRID:                                   29
TOKYO:                                     20

ROUND 3:
RIO DE JANEIRO:                   66
MADRID:                                   32

Chicago 2016 announced that it has teamed with United Airlines to charter a flight to Copenhagen, Denmark, for the final presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Boeing 747 will feature the Chicago 2016 logo and will be filled with hundreds of supporters en route to Copenhagen where the IOC will select the Host City for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“With just seven days to go until the final decision, we appreciate everyone’s support and are honored that so many Chicagoans are traveling with us to Copenhagen for the big day,” said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016. “It is the enthusiasm of everyone in Chicago that makes this time in Chicago’s history so exciting. We thank United Airlines for being such a valuable partner in our efforts.”

Chicago 2016 will have a strong presence in Copenhagen for the historic event. On board the United Airlines flight will be Chicago 2016 committee members, supporters, athletes, media, staff and others. Chicago 2016 sold packages, including travel, accommodations and cultural events, for those wishing to attend to show their support for Chicago’s bid.

Members of the Chicago 2016 delegation will make the final presentation to the IOC on the morning of October 2, with the Host City announcement following later that evening.

“As Chicago’s hometown airline and official airline of the US Olympic and Paralympic Teams, United is proud to support Chicago’s and the U.S. bid for the 2016 Games, and be a partner in this historic event,” said Glenn Tilton, chairman, president and CEO of United Airlines. “We are very pleased that our flight crews, our customer service and ramp employees, and all of the other employees get to be a part of this momentous flight.”

Chicago 2016

Chicago 2016 is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to seek the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago. The committee’s board consists of business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick Ryan serves as the organization’s chairman and CEO.

“Two weeks from today the International Olympic Committee will select the next host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Mayor Daley. “That’s why today, with great excitement, we are celebrating Jesse Owens’ impact to our city and to the Olympic Movement by dedicating this Olympic-themed playground and new field house in his honor.”

Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany. He first gained national attention in Chicago in 1933, when he equaled the world 100-yard dash record in the National High School Championship meet. “Throughout his life, he embodied the commitment of the Olympic Movement to young people, and Chicago keeps his memory alive not only with this park where young people play, compete and learn the values of sport, but also at the Jesse Owens Community Academy where young people learn,” said Mayor Daley.

Plans for the new fully accessible playground were announced by Allstate and the USOC in 2008, during the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Chicago. The playground not only serves as a fun and safe place to play for local children and future Olympians and Paralympians, but also as a symbol of commitment to enhancing Chicago-area communities.

“The ‘Little Hands’ Playground is the first Olympic-themed playground in our city,” said Mayor Daley. “I’d like to thank Allstate for this state-of-the-art facility and for its commitment to promoting the Olympic Movement and enhancing our neighborhoods.”

The playground features competition stations throughout the playground with Olympic-inspired artwork by Chicago Art Group, a spray pool, Olympic medallions referencing important statistical Olympic records, a track-themed pathway bordering the playground, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility.

“Allstate is committed to improving Chicago’s neighborhoods and our longstanding alliance with the City of Chicago and the USOC has allowed us to leave this physical Olympic legacy for the City of Chicago,” said Alice Byrne, Allstate Field Vice President Midwest Region. “It is our hope that the ‘Little Hands’ Playground will provide a healthy and safe environment for children to play and envision their own Olympic dreams.”

The field house features a competition-sized gymnasium, fitness and club rooms, locker rooms, administrative support offices, central air conditioning, and is fully ADA accessible. The building was designed to achieve a Silver rating under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System. Some of green elements of the building include a green roof, efficient lighting systems and a reflective roof and paving, which contributes less urban heat island effect.

Funds for the 18,500-square-foot field house were provided with $3.5 million from Representative Colvin, $3.2 million from Alderman Harris and City of Chicago tax increment financing (TIF) funds, and $3 million from proceeds from the Chicago Park District’s lease of its parking garages.

“This is a banner day for us,” said Parks Superintendent Tim Mitchell. “In these tough economic times, the Chicago Park District could not afford to bring projects like these to deserving communities alone. Thanks to the public-private partnership that has brought together City of Chicago TIF funds, State Rep Colvin’s member initiative funds, and a private donation from the Allstate Foundation and the USOC; we realize more than $9 million dollars in improvements to this park.”

“Allstate has been a longtime, supportive partner to the USOC and has shown a tremendous commitment to the Olympic Movement,” said USOC Acting Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Streeter. “Through programs like the ‘Little Hands’ Playgrounds, Allstate is spreading the Olympic spirit and active living opportunities to youth in Chicago. This playground is a shining example of the legacy of the Chicago 2016 bid, just as it’s a vision of the legacy the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will leave for the youth of Chicago. The USOC extends our gratitude to Allstate and the City of Chicago for all they are doing to spread the Olympic spirit and to help make Chicago a true ‘playground of sport.’” With the announcement of the Host City for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games two weeks away, the opening of the playground and new field house is the latest catalyst to support Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Games.

Also in attendance at the dedication were Chicago Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell, Allstate Regional Vice President Alice Byrne, USOC Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Baird, Board Chair, Chicago Park District Bob Pickens, Board President of the Chicago Park District Gery Chico, Public Building Commission Executive Director Erin Lavin, Director of Paralympic Sport and Accessibility for Chicago for Chicago 2016 Linda Mastandrea, Olympian Dian Simpson (Gymnastics 1988), Olympian Willie May (Athletics, 1960), Ann Swisshelm, Olympian (Curling 2002) and members of the Jesse Owens family.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their contributions for helping to make this new and improved park a reality,” said Mayor Daley. “This refurbished park is a good example of the private and public sector working to benefit our city.”

Source: Allstate

Rio appears to be the most attractive option from a cost perspective - it’s 18 percent less costly than London, followed by Chicago (11 percent) and Madrid (3 percent). In Tokyo, well-known as expensive, prices are 42 percent higher than London. ORC’s pricing agents compile data on a representative market basket of nearly 200 items in more than 300 cities worldwide.

How do the costs for wining and dining stack up? “Although the bill for a restaurant meal with a nice bottle of wine doesn’t vary widely across the different locations, Chicago and Rio are slightly less expensive than London, with Madrid and Tokyo at least 18 percent more expensive,” according to Siobhan Cummins, managing director of ORC’s Europe/Middle East/Africa operations. “Celebrating a gold medal with a glass of beer is currently the most affordable in Rio, or perhaps Madrid, but beer in Tokyo and Chicago is more expensive than in a London pub.”

If traveling to London for the 2012 Olympics, one might find a price break for meals early in the day by purchasing breakfast cereals. Although you might pay more than 5 pounds sterling (GBP) in Tokyo, 3 GBP in Chicago, or 2 GBP in Madrid, cereals in London average 1.55 GBP. “So, you can at least get a good start to your London day,” Cummins adds.

The cost of getting around to those Olympic venues in London – especially by taxi – is expensive compared to the others. But if you opt for a bus or underground, Rio is by far the cheapest, followed by Chicago.

Is there an Olympic effect? Reviewing the price changes in the last two Summer Olympics cities, ORC found a 15 percent increase in Beijing prices in the year of the Olympics and a continued sharp rise this year. “However, we saw little effect on prices in Athens,” Cummins explains. “This finding suggests that perhaps the Beijing changes were due to significant growth in the economy, accelerated by the Olympics. It will be interesting to see how London fares in the run up to the 2012 games and beyond.”

Exchange rates play a major role in determining whether or not a location is expensive. For example, although hotel costs in Beijing have dropped steadily since 2007, the yuan gained significantly against the pound in 2008. “Staying in Beijing was pricier for U.K. visitors during the Olympics. At the same time, Beijing prices were rising. As the exchange rate went against the pound, the British celebrating their medals found a significant hole in their pockets,” according to Cummins. On the other hand, during the Athens games, the pound was at a high against the euro, which made Athens much more affordable for London fans.

If the International Olympic Committee factors in local prices when selecting the 2016 host city, Rio and Chicago are strong candidates from a cost perspective. But 2016 is seven years away, and there will be many influences on prices between now and then. In the meantime – London 2012!

Source: ORC Worldwide

All relevant information and deadlines relating to the first phase of the 2018 bid process are contained in the Candidature Acceptance Procedure.

The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and Comcast Corporation announced that they have entered into an agreement to form the U.S. Olympic Network (USON), the first-ever cable television network devoted solely to the excitement, competition and values connected with the Olympic Movement.

Expected to launch in 2010, broadcasting year-round, and using multiple platforms, including television, video on demand and online, the USON will provide a window into the quests of American athletes to reach the pinnacle of their sports. Viewers will be able to watch live coverage of championship competitions and, after 2012, Olympic trial events in a wide range of sports, plus live, non-stop news reports, commentary, interviews from the locations of future Olympic and Paralympic Games, and classic Olympic footage through its exclusive U.S. access to thousands of hours of programming.

Additionally, the USON will provide video on demand content, enabling subscribers to watch their favorite Olympic athletes and their feats whenever they want. A broadband platform will also be established for Internet customers to experience the passion of the Olympic Games online with news, highlights, and event coverage. The transaction is subject to closing conditions.

“The U.S. Olympic Network will be a dream come true for fans of the Olympic Games, delivering rich year-round content associated with the world’s greatest sporting competitions,” said Stephanie Streeter, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the USOC. “By bringing the stories, competitions and history of the Olympic Movement into American homes year-round, the USOC hopes to not only inspire a new generation of athletes but also to educate young people about the ideals and values of the Olympic movement. And, we believe strongly that the USON can also serve as a template that can be used in other parts of the world to expand access to the Olympic experience. Plus, the USON’s unparalleled year-round exposure of the Olympic brand — already one of the world’s most recognized and respected — will generate compelling opportunities for Olympic sponsors to expand their association with the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement. At the same time, we believe it will enhance interest in and viewership of Olympic-related coverage on broadcast networks. We are excited to work with all of our partners, and everyone associated with the Olympic Movement, to establish the USON as the foremost full time channel for Olympic-related content.”

Jeff Shell, President of Comcast Programming Group, said, “Comcast is pleased to partner with the United States Olympic Committee on the U.S. Olympic Network. Promoting the spirit of the Olympic Games in the homes of millions of Americans will support our athletes and bring more Olympic entertainment to our customers.”

“We are excited to see this important development for the USOC,” added Matt Van Houten, Chair, USOC Athletes’ Advisory Council. “It will do great things for America’s athletes by bringing them and the Olympic Movement into the public’s awareness on a year-round basis, not just for a couple of weeks every two years.”

USON is conceived as a network to support the public interest of furthering the Olympic Movement’s international mission of promoting peace through the Games. The USOC intends to use a significant portion of its net proceeds from the network’s operations to help fund the training of American athletes.

Allen & Company served as an advisor the USOC.

Programming

The USON will appeal to a broad demographic consistent with the country’s strong interest in the Olympic Games. It intends to air programming that is appealing to a younger demographic interested in sports and pop culture, as well as the traditional Olympic fan base with a greater understanding and recollection of the historic significance of past Olympic Games.

USON will deliver compelling programming such as:

• The USOC’s major events, including those sponsored by National Governing Bodies of Olympic and Pan American sport organizations, and the exclusive rights to the U.S. Olympic Trials after 2012;
• Archive-based shows utilizing thousands of hours of existing Olympic content;
• Films, movies and documentaries;
• Original series;
• Instructional programming; and
• News and talk shows that feature the engaging personalities of Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls, and their quest to reach the pinnacles of their sports.

The USON, in addition to its cable and satellite presence, will integrate new media across all available platforms that will enable a strong personal connection between Team USA and Americans who will be inspired by their Olympic quest.

Expanded Opportunities for USOC Sponsors

Through a special Congressional charter, the USOC holds exclusive rights to use the words “Olympic” and “Olympiad,” the Olympic rings and other Olympic imagery and phrases within the U.S. Given the positive and powerful nature of the Olympic brand, several of the world’s leading companies have made significant investments to become Official USOC Sponsors and have the right to use Olympic marks.

USOC sponsors have made this investment despite the limited windows around the Olympic Games that are held for 17 days every two years. The USON will give USOC sponsors a new, 365-day-a-year opportunity to promote their association with the Olympic brand beyond this limited window. Several USOC sponsors have already expressed interest in becoming sponsors of the USON.

Source: U.S. Olympic Committee