14 August 2009 The delegation leading Madrid’s bid to host the Olympics and Paralympics in 2016 aim to learn as much as they can from the athletes’ own experiences at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin.

The Championships run in Berlin for nine days starting on Saturday.

The Madrid delegation attending the championships include CEO Mercedes Coghen, Mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, Spain’s IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch Jnr, Director of Sport Raul Chapado and Managing Director Antonio Fernández Arimany. They will be looking to see how their bid can provide the best possible Games for the athletes in track and field.

Mercedes Coghen explained: “Our Olympic Village has been designed by athletes for athletes and we are doing everything we can to ensure they have the experience of a lifetime in 2016.

“The main Olympic Stadium is right next to the village and is already under construction. Right next to the main stadium is the aquatics centre which is also being built now.

“Athletes will be able to move freely from the village to the competition areas.

“We are in Berlin to support the Spanish team of course and we also we want to talk to as many as coaches and athletes from around the world as possible to gauge their views on what they want from an Olympics.

“We are confident that our bid meets high technical standards but it is never too late learn more from the people who experience sport at the very sharp end.”

Madrid 2016 has a stand in the exhibition area at the Championships which will show every aspect of the bid through interactive screens.

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