Munich Bid Opponents Face Challenge; Rome Favors Olympics; Guadalajara Eyes Olympic Bid

Munich Opponents Face Challenge in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

A move to launch a citizen review of Garmisch-Partenkirchen’s role in the Munich 2018 Olympics bid could fail for lack of support.

Opponents of the Munich bid are trying to organize the review in the mountain city where alpine events are planned for the bid. But for a citizen review to take place, eight percent of the voters in Garmisch-Partenkirchen must sign a petition in favor of the review. So far, there are no takers, reports German media.

"We need two to three persons from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but this is more difficult than expected," says Ludwig Hartmann, the Bavarian state parliament member and Greens Party leader. Hartmann says opponents are being intimidated to remain silent by those in Garmisch who favor the Olympics. The national Greens Party is leading efforts to block the Olympic bid.

While dozens of landowners in Garmisch-Partenkirchen are opposed to allowing their land to be used for the Olympics, businesses such as hotels and restaurants are in favor of the project.

Munich 2018 opponents hope to open the review to overturn guarantees provided by the Garmisch-Partenkirchen government to bid organizers. Munich bid leaders insist that the bid enjoys strong public support across the country.

"We continue to listen to all members of the community and will continue to work to find the best compromise for all interested parties," says Munich 2018 CEO Bernhard Schwank in a statement to Around the Rings.

"Overall we are greatly encouraged by the recent rise in public support as highlighted by the recent poll commissioned by ZDF which showed 75 percent public support for the 2018 Games in Munich," says Schwank.

In the poll cited by Schwank, 16 percent of the respondents said they were opposed to the Munich bid. In its bid book submitted last week to the IOC, Munich says polling in 2010 showed 76 percent national support.

In its bid book, PyeongChang says polling indicates 91 percent national support. The Annecy bid book reports 90 percent support across France.

Rome 2020 Olympic Bid Trumps F-1

The mayor of Rome drops plans to bid for a F1 race in the Italian capital in favor of a bid for the 2020 Olympics.

"We formally and definitely give up on the hypothesis of a Formula One Grand Prix in Rome," said Gianni Alemanno in a Friday press conference.

"This move represents a step backwards because we have always said we would have done so," said the mayor.

"However, we have an Olympic dream that is still going on: so let's make clear to Italy and to the world that we want to stage the games in Rome," Alemanno said.

Rome’s chances of securing a F1 race were considered slim with Monza in northern Italy already hosting a race.

The Rome bid for 2020 has already won the support of CONI, the Italian NOC.

Senior IOC member from Italy Franco Carraro, who has been critical of the early stages of the Rome bid was also at the mayor’s press conference.

He told reporters that the chances for the Rome Olympic bid "were difficult, but not impossible".

Jalisco Governor Eyeing Olympics

Governor of the Mexican state of Jalisco, Emilio Gonzalez Marquez claims the state’s capital, Guadalajara, is ready to stage the Olympics.

"The Olympic Games are in our dreams, as they once were the Pan Am Games and now will be reality" he told Spanish news agency EFE on Thursday.

The city is hosting the Pan American Games later this year, and has been plagued with problems. Most notably, the original plans for the athletes’ village had to be scrapped due to its location.

The original plans called for it to be built in the center of the city. However, it was determined that site would be unable to accommodate the village.

"The first condition is the success of these Pan American Games, and then there will be a big job to do for that dream is true."

"We compare it to Rio de Janeiro. We have all the conditions to host. No hurry, but If the vision of Guadalajara has the attractive conditions for events of any kind."

He said the Pan American Village is 65 to 70 percent completed.

Also on Thursday, Gonzalez Marquez said Madrid’s mayor, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon Jimenez, would attend the Pan American Games opening ceremony, scheduled for October 14. Madrid is reportedly considering a bid for the 2020 Olympics. Guadalajara could also launch a bid for the 2020 Olympics.

Written by Ed Hula III.