OLYMPICS:

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

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WEINER: I PLEDGE TO DELIVER STADIUM IF IOC DELIVERS OLYMPICS

New York City – The Mayor says that New York City will not get the Olympics unless a stadium is built on the West Side. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn) released the following statement:

“Some people may say that the end of the West Side stadium deal means the end of the Olympics.

“I say it was the right resolution for a fundamentally flawed idea that was wrong for the city.

“But we can save the Olympics and move forward with sound development projects with the right kind of leadership from City Hall.

“The death of the controversial West Side stadium deal should actually help, not hurt, our bid, if we move quickly to the consensus alternative—Willets Point, Queens.

“The Olympic Committee wants a guarantee, so here it is: as mayor, I will guarantee that an Olympic stadium and broadcast center will be delivered on-time at an alternative location should the International Olympic Committee select New York on July 6.

“I urge the other mayoral candidates to make the same pledge.

“Now is not the time to ‘pick up our ball and go home’.

“We can have the Olympics and the right stadium in the right location if we are ready to what’s right for New York City.”

Weiner sent a letter to the IOC guaranteeing an Olympics stadium if the IOC awards the Olympics to New York City in July.

TEXT OF WEINER’S LETTER TO THE IOC:

Dear Mr. Rogge:

This is in response to the Olympic Evaluation Committee’s two major concerns about New York’s bid for the 2012 Olympics. First, that “New York could not provide a guarantee for the use of the . . . Olympic stadium.” (pg.29). Second, that while NYC2012 “stated that high-rise broadcasting facilities are common in New York, experience at previous Olympic Games would suggest that a high-rise IBC [International Broadcasting Center] could pose some operational challenges.” (pg.43)

The Olympic Committee wants a guarantee, so here it is: as mayor, I will guarantee that an Olympic stadium and broadcast center will be delivered on-time at an alternative location should the International Olympic Committee select New York on July 6. I hope that all the candidates for mayor will join me in making this pledge.

I look forward to seeing the Olympic torch lit in New York City in 2012.