We were waiting for Glasgow, or even Medellin. But the 86 members of the IOC, meeting since the day before in an extraordinary session in Lausanne, took everyone by surprise. A new time. And decided to award the 3rd Summer Youth Olympic Games to Buenos Aires.
The verdict was delivered after the three bidding teams presented their projects for 15 minutes. In the first round of voting, Glasgow surrendered, obtaining 13 votes, against 40 in Buenos Aires and 39 in Medellin. In the final, the Argentine capital retained its position, with 49 votes against 39 for Medellin.
For Glasgow, the defeat is heavy. Guardian journalist Craig Reedie said the Scottish city was “too close to London. » But the reason perhaps lies elsewhere: the lack of strong political support, despite the presence in Lausanne of Seb Coe himself.
Medellín, for its part, was unable to impose itself. The presence of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos did nothing. The head of state insisted on the question of security. He hoped that these Games would allow Colombia to show itself under a new face. “I guarantee total safety to the athletes as well as the spectators during the Olympic Games,” insisted Juan Manuel Santos. My negotiators are currently in Cuba negotiating peace. » A double-edged argument which, it seems, would not have been well received. Medellin, however, had solid arguments: almost ready infrastructure and some experience in organizing international events.
Buenos Aires therefore beat everyone to the post. A revenge for the unfortunate candidate city for the 2004 Summer Games, eliminated in the first round of a competition ultimately won by Athens. Gerardo Werthein, president of the Argentine Olympic committee and member of the IOC, knew how to defend the interests of the South American capital. “We believe this is the right time for Argentina and the Olympic movement to come together to advance the Olympics among young people around the world,” he said. Buenos Aires will invest only 1% of its annual budget in the YOG. Athletes' accommodation will be transformed into social housing after the Games. » So many arguments which convinced the Olympic family.
Buenos Aires is now establishing itself as a stronghold of the Olympism. The members of the IOC will meet there from September 7 to 10, 2013, for a General Assembly full of elections. An opportunity to discover the city.
Theodore Heitz
