In August, the USOC plucked New York and San Francisco as the two US finalists from a field of four cities competing for the 2012 Summer Games. Houston and Washington, DC were eliminated in that round. But the exuberant vision of Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff, who long spearheaded the efforts of NYC 2012, organizer of the city's $5-billion Olympics bid, apparently bowled over the USOC in a one-hour, no-holds-barred presentation Saturday afternoon.
While focusing on the plan's "Olympic X" transportation system as well as the city's multicultural heritage, the highlight of the presentation was a video featuring entertainment-industry powerhouses such as Robert De Niro, Bette Midler, Jerry Seinfeld and Woody Allen and including a recently filmed mock ticker-tape parade and shots of the Statue of Liberty lit by a spectacular fireworks display. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani showed up to stress the city's resilience in the face of Sept. 11, though organizers carefully avoided playing the sympathy card throughout the bidding process.
The decision came from Colorado Springs, during the USOC's annual meeting. The 123-member board awarded New York 132 points out of a possible 223.
The transportation plan for the games is designed not only to provide convenient and fast commutation between events but to allay local residents' fears of bottlenecked streets and sidewalks during the games. The cross-shaped route would connect a high-speed ferry running north and south with cross-town trains. Organizers also point out that the July and August summer games will be held when the city is at its emptiest, with city ridership down by nearly 1 million because of school is out and many locals generally vacation out of town during that period.
According to recent projections, the games would have a regional economic impact exceeding $11.3 billion while creating jobs equivalent to one year of employment each for 135,000 people. Of course, the city's 66,500 hotel rooms would be full for the duration and every square inch of tourism-dedicated space in town would be maxed out. Renovations to parks and other facilities would total $1.2 billion.
The bid for the games has not been without local opposition, however. Up to the last minute, local groups lobbied the USOC to block any New York bid that includes a new stadium and said they are looking at all options, including legal measures, to block the stadium project.
And last week, the Clinton Special District Coalition, backed by more than 20 neighborhood organizations, community boards and several local politicians released its 2012 Contra-Bid Book, outlining its concerns about bringing the games to New York.
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