WEINER ANSWERS INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE:

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“AS MAYOR I WILL GUARANTEE

AN OLYMPIC STADIUM AND BROADCAST CENTER”

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URGES OTHER CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR TO JOIN PLEDGE

New York City – In an effort to keep New York City’s Olympic bid alive, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn) sent an open letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today, guaranteeing that a Weiner administration would deliver an Olympic stadium and broadcast center on time, and urging all the candidates for mayor to join him.

Today, the International Olympic Evaluation Committee released a favorable site evaluation report for New York City.

But the IOC said that the lack of a guaranteed Olympic stadium was hurting the bid.

In a letter to the IOC, Weiner wrote: “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,” Weiner added.

Weiner was the first to advocate building the stadium in Willets Point, Queens. He first did so in April of last year.

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.