Good Luck NYC2012
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
Tonight at Singapore, Mayor Bloomberg and the city’s delegation will make their final presentation to the International Olympic Committee. New York is competing against Paris, London, Madrid, and Moscow to host the 2012 games. Tomorrow morning, the IOC will announce the winning city.
With the mayor are prominent New York politicians and business leaders – including Senator Clinton and Time Warner CEO and Chairman Dick Parsons – together with over 40 Olympians, including boxing legend Muhammad Ali and Australian swimming champion Ian Thorpe. We have no doubt they will make a compelling case for the city – they have many convincing arguments to choose from.
Some point out that, surprisingly, New York has never hosted the games. Others argue that after the attacks of September 11, hosting the games would be a fine opportunity to demonstrate to the world it’s business better than ever in the Big Apple – and for the world to express its support for the city in overcoming the terrorist attacks.
One of the city’s strongest arguments is the welcome all athletes would receive. As “The World’s Second Home,” every athlete is likely to find compatriots in the city – speaking their language and cooking their favorite home foods. They’ll have a home fan base – cheering on their team together with America’s. And as we’ve said before, it would also give athletes from oppressive states – Iran, Syria, Cuba, and co. – a chance to taste and, if they want, defect to freedom.
The mayor has described the games as “the greatest celebration of humanity, competition and friendship.” To that list we’d add excellence, and say that those four characteristics aptly describe this city and its inhabitants – making New York an ideal host for the Olympics.
We’ve been skeptical of some parts of the bid, such as spending taxpayers’ money to build a new stadium. But the city has plenty of time, indeed seven years, to properly determine the logistics. Whatever tomorrow’s outcome, credit goes to the mayor, Deputy Mayor Doctoroff, and the rest of the team who’ve been working hard on the bid.
Starting at 5 p.m., New Yorkers can watch the city’s progress live at Rockefeller Plaza. The city’s final presentation will be at 10:30 p.m., and the IOC’s final decision will be at 7:30 tomorrow morning. We hope New York will be celebrating.
