During a day that ended with a gala dinner in the company of King Juan Carlos at Madrid’s Royal Palace, the committee heard Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Zapatero, claim “nothing more unites Spain than the Madrid Olympic bid”.
Before the dinner the committee heard various presentations attended by ex-IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch, in which the Madrid bid sought to address issues where they are seen as weak, such as security and accommodation.
Spanish Interior Minister, JosC) Antonio Alonso, declared himself responsible for a security operation that will cost euros 73million and will concentrate on restricting access to Olympic facilities.
After assuring the committee that Madrid would have the requisite 55,000 hotel rooms by 2012, the committee surprised the bid team by requesting an impromptu visit to some of the capital’s hotels.
Today (Friday) the visit continues with an inspection of La Peineta, the proposed site for the Olympic stadium.
