Officials were present at the Oceania National Olympic Committees’ General Assembly in Brisbane. There are just five voting members in Oceania but all votes have assumed importance in what is shaping up to be one of the closest contests in Olympic history.
Paris mayor and president of Paris 2012, Bertrand DelanoC+, pointed out that 85 per cent of French nationals supported the bid, and video messages were played of the French desire and passion for the Games.
DelanoC+ said: "There will be a sporting legacy based on the development of new permanent venues to meet the needs of citizens, but there will also be a green legacy. Our approach was inspired by the Sydney model and our ambition is to organise the first Olympic Games with zero greenhouse emissions."
New York City’s 2012 founder and deputy mayor, Daniel L. Doctoroff, stressed the plan to put the Games at the centre of the City, with every athlete able to enjoy a hometown crowd.
“New York is a city where everyone feels at home, where all nations are welcomed, where everybody will cheer and every sport is played,” Doctoroff said.
London bid chairman Sebastian Coe said London was closing in fast, adding that the bid now had public backing as well as momentum.
Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., the son of the former International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, set out Madrid’s environmental features and its plans to build the athletes’ village close enough to the venues that competitors could walk to the events.
Moscow stressed its record of hosting major events, including the boycotted 1980 Olympics. Moscow deputy mayor Valery Shantsev again emphasised the considerable changes since then, and that the nation’s goal was to show the world the new Russia.
