2016: the Games of the Spanish-speaking world

2016 can be the ‘Games of the Spanish-speaking world’ says Madrid 2016 bid chief

25 March 2009 - A Madrid Olympics in 2016 would be a “fiesta” for the Spanish speaking peoples of the world, the bid chief said today at a major sports conference in the United States.

Mercedes Coghen, CEO of the Madrid 2016 Bid said that after the Olympics in Beijing, the capital of the Chinese speaking world and in London, the historic centre of the English speaking world, the time was right for the Games of the Spanish culture.

“Spanish is one of the three most widely spoken languages in the world along with Chinese and English,” she explained, “if people want to think about rotating the Olympic Games then why not think about cultural rotation?

“This is more than being about language, Madrid would be a Games reflecting Latin passion, you might say, an Olympic fiesta for people from all over the world to enjoy day and night in the safe streets of Madrid.”

The Madrid 2016 bid team are in the United States attending Sportaccord and presenting their bid to the International Olympic Committee.

The delegation includes Spain’s IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch jnr and the Mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón as well as the Spanish Secretary of State for Sport, Jaime Lissavetsky.  

The Mayor said: “Spanish unites over 500 million speakers around the world across every continent and we want to emphasise the passion and excitement associated with the Latin culture.  This is very much evident in the city of Madrid with its rich culture and vibrant life-style.”

ENDS  

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