Printer Friendly Format Email a Friend


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 303-04
November 11, 2004

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, GOVERNOR GEORGE E. PATAKI AND NYC2012 HOST HISTORIC SEND-OFF OF NEW YORK'S BID FOR THE 2012 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES

Olympians, Paralympians & New Yorkers Gather on the Brooklyn Bridge for Special Bid Book Relay

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Governor George E. Pataki and Brooklyn-born, Athens Gold Medalist Justin Gatlin were joined by thousands of New Yorkers, Olympians and Paralympians for a ceremony on the Brooklyn Bridge to send off New York's formal submission to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).  The filing of this 600-page Candidature File, the "Bid Book," launches the final and most intense stage of the international competition for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Olympic Gold Medalist and NYC2012 Senior Advisor for Sports Donna de Varona (Swimming: 1960, 1964, 2 Gold) emceed the event as New Yorkers cheered on the Olympians, Paralympians and children from New York City's public schools who carried the Bid Book across the Brooklyn Bridge.  The relay culminated with a hand-off of the Bid Book to a DHL Courier for express delivery to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland by the November 15th deadline.

"New York City's Olympic Dream, now ten years in the making, has truly been a marathon and for the next eight months, we're going to work harder than ever to win the bid for the 2012 Olympics," said Mayor Bloomberg. "We're the 'World's Second Home,' a place with a hometown crowd cheering for every athlete and in every language.  Our great Bid puts athletes right at the center of the Games with stunning venues and easy access between sites.  New Yorkers live the Olympic dream every single day.  It takes a lot of talent, a lot of determination and a lot of guts to make it in this town and that's what the Olympics are all about." 

"This spectacular Olympic plan represents the dreams and determination of New Yorkers," said Governor Pataki. "Together, we will show the world that New York City has what it takes to host the 2012 Olympics Games.  New York City offers an unparalleled setting for the Games and is already a proven host of large-scale international events.  NYC2012, together with support from the State and City, has worked tirelessly to land New York City on the short list of candidate cities for the Games.  I know that a New York City-hosted Olympic Games will be a tremendous experience for athletes and spectators worldwide, and have an enormous and lasting impact for all New Yorkers."

"We are excited to send off this spectacular Olympic plan to the IOC and share our Olympic dream with the rest of the world," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development & Rebuilding and NYC2012 Founder Daniel L. Doctoroff. "An Olympic Games in New York in 2012 would be an event unlike any other and we are confident that we have put together a strong and compelling bid.  The Olympic values come alive on the streets of New York each day and are reflected in the lives of New Yorkers - the spirit of fair competition and openness where people come from all over the world and live peacefully side-by-side, coming together to test themselves against the best, and to be judged solely on talent and determination.  With the support of the Governor, the Mayor and millions of New Yorkers, we look forward with anticipation to the challenge and excitement of the next eight months as we head into the final decision in Singapore."

The Bid Book is due at the IOC on November 15th, and details every aspect of a proposed New York Games in 2012.  It addresses the following seventeen themes as required by the IOC: Legacy, Politics, Legal, Customs, the Environment, Finance, Marketing, Sport, Paralympics, the Olympic Village, Medicine, Security, Accommodations, Transportation, Technology, Media and Olympism/Culture.

An Olympic Games in New York would leave a powerful legacy that will restore New York's connection to Olympic sports, creating new world-class venues, training centers for elite athletes and renovated fields for youth.  Additionally, the Games would spur the largest single investment in parks and recreational facilities in the City's history and bring a regional economic impact of over $12 billion and creating over 135,000 jobs.

This past August, NYC2012 unveiled its adjusted venue plan, the Olympic X, which positions the majority of venues in three main clusters  along two transportation routes, one water and one rail, that intersect at the Olympic Village.  The Village, located across the river from the United Nations, puts athletes at the center of the Games in the heart of the City.  From the Village, athletes, coaches, and officials will enjoy quick and easy transportation to all venues and practice facilities.  Last May, the architectural firm Morphosis of Santa Monica, CA, was selected to design the Olympic Village with their plan: a long, sinuous ribbon of primarily low-rise buildings that skirt the waterfront and have beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline, dramatically reducing the number of high-rise residences outlined in the original Village concept from ten to two. 

"Getting the Olympics would be a huge boost for New York economically, developmentally, and spiritually," said Senator Charles E. Schumer. "The most talented people in the world have always come to New York to prove they have what it takes, so it makes perfect sense for the best athletes in the world to come here for the same reason."

"For centuries, New York has served as the gateway for millions of people from all over the world in search of the American dream," said Senator Hillary Clinton. "It only makes sense that it would now serve as a gateway for the world's greatest athletes. There is no doubt that New York is the perfect city to host the Olympic Games in 2012."

"New York City is a world class city with breathtaking views and famous bridges that epitomizes the true Olympic spirit - here every day legends are made and dreams come true," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. "I am confident that with the submission of this Bid Book, the IOC will realize see why the Olympic Games would be so welcomed to New York City and Brooklyn - home to everyone from everywhere."

New York City is competing with four other Candidate Cities for the right to host the 2012 Games: London, Madrid, Moscow and Paris.  An IOC Evaluation Commission will visit the cities in Spring 2005 (New York dates: February 21-24) and the Host City will be selected on July 6, 2005 in Singapore.  Following IOC guidelines, NYC2012 will make the Bid Book available to media on Wednesday, November 17th.  It will also be available on www.nyc2012.com on that date.

Members of NYC2012's Circle of Olympians and Paralympians who participated in the Bid Book Send-off Ceremony include:

  • Irene Andili (Gymnastics: 2000 B, Greece)
  • Carlos Arena (Swimming: 1996, Mexico)
  • Tom Auth (Rowing: 1996, 2000)
  • Bob Beamon (Athletics: 1968 G)
  • April Coughlin (Elite Disabled Athlete)
  • Diane Dixon (Athletics: 1984 G, 1988 S)
  • Justin Gatlin (Athletics: 2004 G,S,B)
  • Jennifer Johnson (Table Tennis: 1984 G, 1988 2G, 1996 S, 2000, 2004, Paralympian)
  • Hara Karyami (Gymnastics: 2000 B, Greece)
  • Deena Kastor (Athletics: 2000, 2004 B)
  • Meb Keflezighi(Athletics: 2000, 2004 S)
  • Par Lindstrom (Swimming: 1992, 1996, Sweden)
  • Gail Marquis (Basketball: 1976 S)
  • Deirdre Murphy (Cycling: 2000, Ireland)
  • Atanda Musa (Table Tennis: 1988, 1992, Nigeria)
  • Paul Nunnari (Athletics: 1996, 2000 S, 2004, Australia, Paralympian)
  • Jason Read (Rowing: 2004 G)
  • Vitaly Scherbo (Gymnastics: 1992 6 G, 1996 4 B, Belarus)
  • Rose Voisk (Gymnastics: 1948, Yugoslavia)
  • Miro Vucetic (Swimming: 1996, Croatia)
  • Lily Yip (Table Tennis: 1992, 1996)
  • Trischa Zorn (Swimming: 1980 7 G, 1984 10 G, 1988 12 G, 1992 10 G, 2 S, 1996 2 G, 3 S, 3 B, 2000 4 S, B, 2004 B, Paralympian)






MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Jennifer Falk   (212) 788-2958

Lynn Rasic (Governor)   (212) 681-4640

Laz Benitez / Iva Benson (NYC2012)   (646) 587-5426/5490




More Resources
View the photos
Watch the video in 56k or 300k