Salzburg Responds to 'Challenges' Identified by IOC
The Board of Directors of the Salzburg 2010 Olympic bid, together with the regions of Amadé and Kitzbühel in Tyrol, has responded in its first meeting after the IOC Evaluation Commission visit. The 'challenges' that were addressed by Commission Chairman Gerhard Heiberg in the official press conference have already been partly met and implemented. Thus, quickly reacting to the wishes of the Commission has once again been put to the test.
Firstly, the Board of Directors formally confirmed what had already been stated during the final press conference by Mayor Heinz Schaden ten days ago: the cross-country sprint will not take place at Schloss Hellbrunn as originally planned but instead in Radstadt/Altenmarkt like all the other cross-country competitions. There is also an advantage to this move: because setting up an area for each Olympic Games venue site (grandstands, security, shuttle services, etc.) costs several million Euros, this move will save costs.
Secondly, it was agreed that the venue site in St. Johann im Pongau planned for the snowboard competition would be re-designed. The Commission expressed doubts in its press conference about the size of the finish area. According to the new plan, at the end of April a new inspection will be done with experts from the International Ski Federation after which a decision will be made as to whether the problems can be satisfactorily solved.
There will be no changes in the Ramsau am Dachstein location. There are no alternatives for K90 ski jump; constructing a new small jump in Bischofshofen could only be done with substantial impact on the environment and at considerable cost. Athletes starting in Ramsau will therefore be offered additional housing possibilities in hotels upon request, in order to guarantee even better preparation for the competition.
Changes in the ice competitions in the city of Salzburg/Hallein were also agreed upon in principle. Concretely, this means moving the figure skating competition to Volksgarten; in return the ice hockey competition would be held in Hallein. These possibilities will be further discussed by both concerned international sport federations; if such a change is actually desired, the Olympic bid is prepared to make this change.
For more details contact:
Arnold Fellinger, Bakk.Komm.
Kommunikation
Tel.: +43 (0)662 2010 62
Fax: +43 (0)662 2010 10
Mobile: +43 (0)664 2010 131
E-Mail: arnold.fellinger@salzburg-2010.com
Website: http://www.salzburg-2010.com
Firstly, the Board of Directors formally confirmed what had already been stated during the final press conference by Mayor Heinz Schaden ten days ago: the cross-country sprint will not take place at Schloss Hellbrunn as originally planned but instead in Radstadt/Altenmarkt like all the other cross-country competitions. There is also an advantage to this move: because setting up an area for each Olympic Games venue site (grandstands, security, shuttle services, etc.) costs several million Euros, this move will save costs.
Secondly, it was agreed that the venue site in St. Johann im Pongau planned for the snowboard competition would be re-designed. The Commission expressed doubts in its press conference about the size of the finish area. According to the new plan, at the end of April a new inspection will be done with experts from the International Ski Federation after which a decision will be made as to whether the problems can be satisfactorily solved.
There will be no changes in the Ramsau am Dachstein location. There are no alternatives for K90 ski jump; constructing a new small jump in Bischofshofen could only be done with substantial impact on the environment and at considerable cost. Athletes starting in Ramsau will therefore be offered additional housing possibilities in hotels upon request, in order to guarantee even better preparation for the competition.
Changes in the ice competitions in the city of Salzburg/Hallein were also agreed upon in principle. Concretely, this means moving the figure skating competition to Volksgarten; in return the ice hockey competition would be held in Hallein. These possibilities will be further discussed by both concerned international sport federations; if such a change is actually desired, the Olympic bid is prepared to make this change.
For more details contact:
Arnold Fellinger, Bakk.Komm.
Kommunikation
Tel.: +43 (0)662 2010 62
Fax: +43 (0)662 2010 10
Mobile: +43 (0)664 2010 131
E-Mail: arnold.fellinger@salzburg-2010.com
Website: http://www.salzburg-2010.com