Friday, March 10, 2000
Olympic vet likes Tristate's chances for 2012
Walker: City has chance with bid
BY JIM HANNAH
The Cincinnati Enquirer
An Olympic legend influential in getting the Games to Atlanta in 1996 says Cincinnati has taken the right first steps toward landing the 2012 Summer Olympics — but there's a lot of work left.
“You are doing all the things that exemplify Cincinnati's strengths,” said LeRoy Walker, president emeritus of the United States Olympic Committee, who coached Olympic teams from five countries before becoming the first African-American to head a U.S. Olympic track and field team. “And Cincinnati has great strengths.”
Mr. Walker, 81, made these comments hours after arriving in Cincinnati Thursday morning. He spoke Thursday night at downtown's Hyatt Regency Cincinnati to about 125 people hoping to bring the 2012 Summer Olympics to the city.
“I am tremendously encouraged that this person, who is more involved in the worldwide Olympic movement than anyone I have had the honor to meet, thinks that Cincinnati has the basic things it needs to put a successful bid together,” said Nick Vehr, president of Cincinnati 2012, the group spearheading the initiative. “You don't have to take Nick Vehr's word ... that we are at a great starting point to get the Olympics.”
The seven other U.S. venues Cincinnati is competing against are: Dallas; Houston; Los Angeles; New York; San Francisco; Tampa, Fla.; and Washington/Baltimore.
Bids for the U.S. Candidate City designation for the 2012 Olympic Games are due Dec. 15 to the USOC. The USOC will select the U.S. candidate city in fall 2002. The International Olympic Committee will select the host city of the 2012 Olympic Games in fall 2005.
Mr. Walker said it is too early to start handicapping the race for America's host candidate, but he outlined the city's strengths and challenges.
He said the city's advantage came in its plan to use facilities in the entire region — including Louisville, Columbus and Indianapolis — to play host to the Games.
Mr. Walker was also impressed by the city's massive riverfront redevelopment plan. He said many cities promise facilities, but few are already under construction.
“You have things to show,” he said, citing the new stadium and roadways.
Mr. Walker said Cincinnati's challenges are many — including the lack of a light-rail system and providing lodging for spectators and athletes — but that city officials must realize this will never be a Barcelona, Spain.
“People go to Barcelona and come back shaking their heads saying they can't duplicate all the ancient history present there, and I say good,” Mr. Walker said. “I am glad you realize that now because we can't and don't intend to.”
Mr. Vehr said Mr. Walker was asked to spend a night in Cincinnati and talk to community leaders about the benefits the Summer Olympics have brought to Atlanta.
Atlanta was left with venues and the knowledge to play host to major world sporting events for decades to come, said Mr. Walker, who was brought into Atlanta's planning phase early because of his experience.
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