We were waiting for him to see things more clearly. In vain. Published this Tuesday morning by the IOC, the report of the evaluation commission of the candidate cities for the 2020 Games brings little light. The speed race between Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo still seems undecided. After reading some 118 pages of the document, it's a very smart person who could spot a favorite or point out a beat in advance.
Established following the four-day visit of the IOC Evaluation Commission to the three candidate cities last March, the report does not venture into any classification. Instead, he offers a detailed analysis of the three files, emphasizing in particular the questions of budget, accommodation, transport, security, location of sites and support of the population.
In this game, Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo all appear to be impeccable students. More surprising: the weaknesses and handicaps attributed to each of the three cities were not, ultimately, in the eyes of the IOC experts. Madrid, whose file seemed weighed down by the economic crisis that Spain is going through, according to the report presents all the financial guarantees to organize the Summer Games in 2020. Istanbul, whose rating has long been very high, before falling since the start of popular demonstrations against the regime in power, would not be affected by its social instability and the risks to the security of the Games. Finally, the relative lack of interest of the Japanese population for the Games in Tokyo, often presented as a weak point, would be largely compensated by the quality of the Asian file and its financial solidity.
A perfect equality, therefore. Or almost. In reality, there is no need to read the future in coffee grounds to understand that the publication of the report of the evaluation commission mainly benefits the interests of Madrid. The Spanish capital, long considered beaten in advance, is back in the race. Less than three months before the vote, scheduled for September 7 in Buenos Aires, she has caught up. And could well, according to some rumors in the corridor, beat everyone's hair on the edge. A scenario that would not suit Europe's potential candidates for the 2024 Games, led by Paris, whose chances of victory four years later would turn to dust.
The fact remains that nothing is ever written in advance with the IOC. Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo can still win. Tour will be played over the next few weeks. With an important step: the presentation by the three candidate cities of the assets and details of their file, on July 3 and 4 in Lausanne, in front of the IOC members.
