In its presentation to the Olympic Council of Asia, Salzburg 2014 defined the elements of magic it would deliver if it gains the honour of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
All three presenters in Salzburg’s five minute presentation, which included two short films, touched on the bid theme of Celebrating the Magic of Winter Sport.
Following a stirring video welcome by bid ambassador Franz Klammer, which included stunning footage of his gold medal downhill run at the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Games, Austrian IOC Member Leo Wallner opened the presentation by referring to magic, excellence and trust as the guiding lights of the Salzburg bid.
Salzburg Mayor Heinz Schaden said the investments over the last 20 years effectively equipped the city to host the Games. “Today, 8 of our 11 venues are built and we have a fully operational air, road and rail transportation infrastructure in place,” Schaden said, “all part of a low-risk plan that will allow us to focus on delivering a magical experience for every Olympic guest.”
A film showcasing the beauty of the city, the passion of the nation for winter sport and the compact qualities of an excellent technical plan followed.
Salzburg CEO Fedor Radmann summed up the presentation by defining magic in terms of the best traditions of past Olympic Winter Games, highlighting, “the enchantment of the setting, a fan base that can fill every stadium and a tradition of genuine winter hospitality,” all of which are considered strengths of the Salzburg bid.
Major Praise for Doha’s Organizational Effort
“I have been to Doha many times over the past few decades,” Radmann said, “and quite frankly the transformation of this city into a glistening global capital of skyscrapers along the beautiful gulf coast is quite amazing.”
“The achievements of the architects and builders are reflected in the good work behind the massive organizational effort of the Asian Games,” he said. “The outstanding opening ceremony at those Games was the best ever I have seen including all Olympic Games.”
The Salzburg 2014 team in Doha included Gernot Leitner, the Bid’s Director of Games Planning and Andreja Wieser, Director of International Relations as well as Walter Pfaller, the bid’s Paralympics Director and also sports director for the state of Salzburg.
Next stop: Brussels
The Salzburg team is excited by the prospects of traveling straight from Doha to Brussels sharing its vision again at the assembly of the EOC (European Olympic Committees), which will take place on 8/9 December 2006.
Along with Leo Wallner, Mayor Heinz Schaden and Fedor Radmann, Gabi Burgstaller, Governour of Salzburg, will join the presentation team for Brussels. There, the focus will shift to the unique advantage of the Salzburg 2014 bid in reaching the young generation of athletes and sport enthusiasts especially in Europe. Its geographic position at the crossroads of Europe enables Salzburg to offer the unique “once-in-a-life Olympic experience in a single day” to more than 40 million youngsters from 16 countries living within a radius of 800km.
For interview requests in Brussels with any of the stakeholders of the Salzburg 2014 bidding team, please do not hesitate to contact Alexandra Knoke, International Press Coordinator, at +43 662 42 2014-19 (office), +43 664 4299 648 or by Email at Alexandra.Knoke@salzburg2014.com.