Showtime for 2012 bid hopefuls
2005-02-01 16:00
Paris - The fate of the five cities vying for the right to host the 2012 Olympics will be decided over the next few weeks when the IOC's powerful evaluation commission visits each of them before delivering it's verdict on their bids.
Although the commission's findings will not guarantee a winner, a critical report on any of the five hopefuls - Madrid, Paris, London, Moscow and New York - will almost certainly prove fatal.
The commission, led by 1984 Olympic women's 400m hurdle champion Nawal El Montawakel, begins its study on Wednesday when the 12-strong team touch down in Madrid.
For the next seven weeks all five would-be hosts will be visited and then the commission will publish its findings in May.
The 2012 report will carry more weight than in previous bids.
Even since the Salt Lake City scandal in 1999, when 10 IOC members were either expelled or resigned, members have been banned from visiting bid cities.
The IOC ethics commission has also introduced draconian restrictions on the bid cities, dramatically reducing their chances of meeting IOC members and trying to win over their vote.
Even a planned debate between the five cities to be shown on BBC World was rejected by the ethics commission.
Confidentiality agreement
Members of the evaluation commission have been barred from talking to the press during their whirlwind trips to the five cities.
"We had to sign a confidentiality agreement," members of the commission have said.
The visits by the commission will be a nerve-wracking time for the cities. Their plans to host the Games will come under the microscope and the slightest hiccup could dash their hopes.
The final report will not list the cities in order but IOC members know how to read the carefully crafted observations in the conclusion where key phrases make it clear the commission's verdict.
Both London and Madrid will be using their Royal families to try and impress the evaluation team at an official reception.
All five cities will also be hoping to ensure there are no public protests by people opposed to the Olympics coming to the city.
IOC members are very wary of protest groups, they need to know that they are welcome.
On the eve of the start of the tour, Paris is considered favourite to win in Singapore, with New York and London close behind. Madrid and Moscow are considered as outsiders.
But the battle to win 2012 is expected to be the closest in modern history, with the winner being announced at the IOC Congress on July 6 in Singapore.