NEW YORK (NY2012) – As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of dreams.” Riding the momentum of 2001, the NYC2012 dream is becoming a more distinct reality as we start 2002.
In a move that will significantly enhance New York’s bid, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has named NYC2012 Founder Daniel L. Doctoroff as Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding. The appointment underscores City Hall’s strong support for bringing the Olympic Games to New York City. Doctoroff’s responsibilities include creating and implementing the plan to ensure the city emerges stronger and more vibrant than ever from the events of September 11.
In announcing the appointment, Bloomberg lauded Doctoroff’s efforts to bring the Games to New York. “He has conceived of and led the development of the city’s Olympic bid, which has generated enormous support and enthusiasm across all segments of the city. The vision of a New York Olympic Games has inspired New Yorkers about our future.”
Although Doctoroff has stepped down as President of NYC2012, he will continue to oversee New York City’s bid for the Olympic Games from his position at City Hall and will remain as the bid’s founder and spokesperson.
“If the effort to bring the Olympic Games to New York has taught me anything,” Doctoroff said before taking office as Deputy Mayor, “it is how eager the people of this great city are to channel our vast strength, assets and spirit to accomplish remarkable things.”
Doctoroff isn’t the only member of the NYC2012 family to relocate to Lower Manhattan. On January 7, NYC2012 moved downtown in a show of unity and commitment to New York in the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11. NYC2012 will share the 47th floor at 140 Broadway in a 5,000 square foot space donated by American Capital Access (ACA), a diversified financial insurance company.
NYC2012 is working harder than ever to meet the challenges of the most critical year of the bid to date. Chief among these is fulfilling the additional requirements set by the USOC. NYC2012 must complete a detailed Bid Book addendum by April 8, host the USOC for a two-day site visit from June 31-July 1 and prepare for the USOC Board of Directors meeting on November 2-3, when the decision on the U.S. Candidate City will be announced.
NYC2012 also has made planning for the best Paralympic Games ever a top priority of its highly qualified team of urban planners, architects and Paralympic athletes. To achieve this, the team is combing through copies of past Paralympic bids, case studies and interviewing athletes and governing bodies to strengthen this significant element of NYC2012’s technical plan.
In February, NYC2012 will pay particularly close attention to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City to learn firsthand about a U.S.-based Games. NYC2012 planners and administrators will study every aspect of the Games, from security to transportation to ticket distribution and seating.
While Salt Lake will provide a wealth of information, NYC2012 must continue to prove its ability to host complex amateur sporting events. To that end, NYC2012 staff have been working on four major championships in 2002: United States Track & Field Association’s National Indoor Championships held on March 1-2 at the Armory Track & Field Center; USA Team Handball Club National Championships held on April 19-21 at Nassau Community College; USA Weightlifting National Championships held on April 26-28 at the Manhattan Center; and the second annual New York City Triathlon, which doubles as the Triathlon Elite National Championships, held on August 18 and finishing in Central Park.
“These championships will not only showcase New York’s support for great amateur events, but also provide the athletes with a sneak preview of all of the City’s extraordinary attributes,” said NYC2012 Director of Sports Wendy Hilliard. “Not only does New York have world-class facilities, transportation and accommodations, but with Broadway, the museums and incredible shopping, the athletes will always be entertained.”
NYC2012 also will spend the year reaching out to New Yorkers — athletes, fans, enthusiasts and residents of every community to garner support for the Olympic bid. Using a highly talented team of marketers and communications experts, NYC2012 will launch a citywide marketing plan to pitch an Olympic Games in New York.
And to engage the city’s vast international community, NYC2012 has launched “Nations of New York.” The program aligns the city’s many cultural, civic, sports and business organizations in support of the bid. This spring, NYC2012 plans to enlist hundreds of participating organizations.
“We have incredible momentum coming out of the achievements of 2001,” said NYC2012 Executive Director Jay Kriegel. “But we are not going to rest on those laurels. We will work harder than ever before to become selected by the USOC. There may be a silver medal in the Olympic Games, but not in the bid process.”
www.nyc2012.com
