Paris front-runner, New York Olympic organizers delighted by IOC report

AP June 6, 2005

New York City is "neck in neck" in its race against top-rated Paris for the 2012 Summer Games, local boosters insisted Monday after the release of the International Olympic Committee's report evaluating bids from the five finalist cities.

"This report makes very clear that this race is neck in neck and that New York is in the top tier. We feel great about our chances to win ... as long as the stadium is approved," said NYC2012 spokesman Jay Carson.

"This really couldn't be any better," NYC2012 bid leader Dan Doctoroff said of the report. "We're absolutely delighted by this report with just great reviews in every single category, and it confirms that New York can definitely win so long as the (West Side) Stadium is approved."

The $2 billion stadium is part of the city's bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics, and it faces a crucial vote in Albany, scheduled for Monday afternoon. The Public Authorities Control Board's vote on $300 million in state funding for the West Side Stadium was postponed Friday but rescheduled after weekend negotiations by politicians.

Paris received the overall best review in the 123-page IOC report. London and Madrid also got positive ratings, while long-shot Moscow came in for criticism.

The IOC report did not rank the cities, but offered an insight into the strength and weaknesses of each bid. It focused on technical issues such as venues, financing, transport plans, accommodations, security and public and government support.

The findings will serve as a guide for the 117 eligible IOC voting members who will cast secret ballots in Singapore on July 6. However, the vote also will take into account geopolitical and other issues not covered by the report.

Jay Cross, president of the Jets, the football team that would use the new stadium, said he was "thrilled that the IOC sees all the merits of the New York bid."

Cross, who was enroute to Albany, expressed hope that the state Public Authorities Control Board would "do the right thing" on Monday afternoon.

Doctoroff said that the IOC indicated that approval of the West Side Stadium was "essential" for the Games. But he added that "The main thing about today's report is how incredibly positive it is in every other category, particularly key areas such as transport, security and finance."

"In every case, New York City is rated very strong," he added