Nerve Endings Firing Away

New York City recently hosted the delegates from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who are on tour to visit the final nominees to host the Olympics in 2012; Paris, Moscow, London, Madrid being the other cities. For the first time, an American city starts out as an underdog against its European counterparts (Paris is a hot favorite). As you know, I am an Olympics enthusiast and love the activity that precedes and follows the “greatest show on earth”. Of course, the sixteen days of pure sporting extravaganza are a pure delight too.

Michael Bloomberg, the NYC mayor welcomed the delegation on a snowy morning and even jokingly offered to host the “Winter Olympics” alluding to the generous sprinkling of white all over the city. The city, according to me is best suited to host this great event. Of course, the city’s resources will be strained with the massive influx of visitor, not ignoring the high likelihood of terror attacks during the event. But that is exactly what great cities are known for — to rebound after any great tragedy and take in its stride all infrastructural problems and put on a brave smiling face for the world with open welcoming arms.

New York is the epitome of a melting pot culture with almost 120 languages spoken inside its metropolitan boundaries and clearly is a world city. The still-unbuilt stadium on Manhattan’s West Side has already attracted opposition from New Yorkers but that is mere hiccups in the larger scheme of things. I have had the opportunity to work on the across-the-river waterfront development in Queens and Brooklyn. Although publicized as city’s redevelopment plans, I had the feeling while working that this was merely preparation to tie in the development to the Olympian plans. I was proven right when the Greepoint-Williamsburg area [PDF link] in Queens was earmarked for the Olympic Housing Village, Swimming pool complex, and Beach Volleyball. Infrastructural Development — always invisible to our eyes — is the first step in preparing your city for hosting the Olympics. I hope New York succeeds when the IOC members vote in mid-July. Be sure to check out the snazzy Bid Book.

PS. The NYC 2012 logo is cool. I love it.