Second part of our overview of the candidate cities for the 2020 Summer Games. After Istanbul, and before Tokyo, it is Madrid’s turn to put under the microscope of FrancsJeux. Its strengths and weaknesses, its assets and its handicaps.
Economy – The most serious handicap of Madrid’s candidacy. Spanish sports and political leaders may repeat that the 2020 Games would have a very positive, even saving, effect on the country's economy, but the indicators give little cause for optimism. At the start of the year, unemployment figures reached a new record, with more than 26% of the working population, and a rate of 55% among young people. Inflation is approaching 4%. And the public deficit is growing. In the midst of a recession, Spain will have difficulty convincing voters of its ability to bear the cost of preparing, then organizing, the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Leaders – Unsurprisingly, Madrid's candidacy is supported by Alejandro Blanco, the president of the National Olympic Committee. But it can also count on the active, and very influential, support of four key figures: Ana Botella, mayor of Madrid, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, member of the IOC, Marisol Casado, president of the International Triathlon Federation (ITU) and José Perurena Lopez, president of the International Canoe Federation (ICF), the last two named also being members of the IOC. Last figure, not least: Prince Felipe de Bourbon, appointed honorary president of the candidacy in January 2012.
Symbolic – It remains unclear. Spain organized the Summer Games in Barcelona in 1992. An event which, according to Iberian sports leaders, contributed through its success and impact to shifting the Olympics towards the 21strd century. For the rest, we will remember the anniversary date of the 100th anniversary of the Spanish Olympic Committee, celebrated last year. And, of course, the brilliant health of Spanish sport, particularly in football, tennis and handball.
Support – Against all expectations, the Spanish public fully supports the Madrid candidacy. The economic crisis and austerity measures do not prevent more than 80% of Madrilenians (autumn 2011 figures) from declaring themselves in favor of this candidacy. A result which is barely lower (79%) in the national population, proof that the Madrid 2020 file has managed to blur traditional regional divisions.
Past – Spain hosted the 1992 Games in Barcelona. A first for the country. Since then, Madrid has applied to host the 2012 Games (preceded by London and Paris), then again for those of 2016, where it was beaten by Rio in the last round of voting.
Geographical alternation – Unlike Istanbul, straddling two continents, Madrid cannot distance itself from a resolutely European positioning. A particularity which does not necessarily work in its favor, eight years after the London Games and six years after the winter Games in Sochi. It is also difficult to imagine a vote in favor of Spain from IOC members from European countries considering, more or less officially, a candidacy for the 2024 Games: France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan.
weaknesses – In a word, money. The economic crisis is weighing down Madrid's candidacy, just as it sent that of Rome 2020 into the gutter. As proof, the threat, now lifted, from the UCI to withdraw from the town of Ponferrada, in the province of Leon, the organization of the 2014 road cycling world championships, due to being unable to present acceptable financial guarantees.
The opinion of FrancsJeux – Having been very close to winning in the race at the 2012 Games, then a second time at the 2016 Games, Madrid seemed a strong candidate, especially in a three-way fight. But the economic crisis has seriously weighed down his record. A little over seven months before the vote, the Spanish candidacy is struggling to convince. Worse: she worries. But it would be premature to bury the Spanish file. Two arguments plead in its favor: the real influence of Spanish leaders in the sports movement ("The Samaranch Legacy"), and the possibility that a majority emerges, within the IOC, to give the Games to Spain in the hope of helping him out of his slump.
