I am delighted that the IOC’s Evaluation Commission characterized the Salzburg 2014 bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as “an excellent concept” with a particular “focus on youth and providing a unique and memorable Games experience to young people.”

Today, we have moved one step closer to our goal of hosting the Winter Games and we are particularly pleased that the IOC recognizes our vision “to reconnect youth to the Olympic Winter Games.”

The Evaluation Commission Report is the highest technical assessment in the entire two-year bid process—and the detailed evaluation in the Report clearly establishes the quality and excellence of Salzburg’s plans.

The language and descriptions of Salzburg’s plans make it clear that the Commission recognized the advantages of Salzburg’s existing infrastructure in transportation, accommodation and venues, the depth of its experience in hosting winter events before a broad and enthusiastic fan base, plus the advantages of the geographical position of Salzburg, “targeting the 40 to 50 million youth, aged 14 to 24 who live within a day’s drive or train ride of Salzburg and providing the opportunity to experience the thrill of the Olympic Winter Games in a single day.”

I was particularly pleased to read that the Commission concluded:

* “Salzburg proposes an excellent concept based around two zones … linked by an existing motorway and rail line.  With two Olympic Villages, athletes would have relatively short travel distances to competition venues.  All athletes would be able to reach their competition venue within 30 minutes and the large majority within 15 minutes.”
* “The low number of permanent venues and other infrastructure to be constructed would minimise the environmental impact of the Games and provide a positive sustainable legacy.”
* “That travel times stated by the Bid Committee are achievable and that Olympic and Paralympic transport requirements would be fully met.”
* “Salzburg plans to stage a cultural festival designed by youth for youth. A particular feature of the programme would be to create a youth and family ticket marketing programme targeted at the 16 nations surrounding Austria (150 million people).”

We are pleased as well that the Commission recognized that through the Olympic Empowerment Law “the Austrian Government would be ultimately responsible for fully covering any shortfall.”  In addition, the Report recognizes that Austria’s “Multi-Party Agreement provides for an additional EUR 100 million initial cash infusion to be used to meet OCOG funding needs.”

We recognize that in addition to the multiple strengths it sited, the Commission identified a few areas where Salzburg can improve its plan. We have been working on these areas since the visit and will continue to make improvements all the way to the Final Presentation in Guatemala City.

The Report will add momentum to the growing enthusiasm that exists for the 2014 bid among the people of Salzburg and Austria.  Independent polls conducted by Gallup in Austria show support to be over 80% in the nation and the region of Salzburg—and that support exceeds 90% among young people. 

We always believed—thanks to Salzburg’s incomparable heritage as a winter sports host and the quality and character of the venues and transport system we have in place—that when the IOC’s Evaluation Commission visited, they would be impressed by the advanced state of our preparations and they obviously were.

This Report should not only build further international momentum for Salzburg’s bid, it should inspire all of those working on the bid to push even harder in our quest to win the right to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.