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Dubai to bid for 2024 Olympics instead of 2020

Dubai, Sat, 30 Jul 2011 ANI

Dubai, July 30 (ANI): The UAE National Olympic Committee has announced its plans to bid for the 2024 Olympic games instead of the 2020 ones.

According to a statement from the UAE NOC, a feasibility study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Populous, showed that though Dubai's infrastructures to hold the Games in 2020 are 70 percent ready, it would be better if the nation bids for the 2024 Games.

"Hosting the Olympic Games in the Middle East would be a dream come true for the entire region, and we fully intend to place a bid once I am totally satisfied that we are prepared to host the greatest sporting event in history in a way that would add value to the Olympic movement itself, as well as the youth of the Arab World," Gulf News quoted Shaikh Hamdan, Dubai's Crown Prince, as saying.

"Whilst I am satisfied that infrastructure and Dubai's experience in hosting top class sports events would see us well-placed to win a bid, I do believe that much more has to be done in order to leave the lasting human legacy that celebrates the Olympic values.

"I believe that a concentrated effort must now be made on grassroots sports activities, building our human resources and administrative framework...

"Our energy needs to go first and foremost to achieving a just and lasting peace for our youth as the bedrock to a future bid which is most likely for the 2024 Olympic Games," he added.

Apart from Dubai another 14 cities will be contending for the 2024 honour.

They are:

Africa: Casablanca (Morocco);

Durban (South Africa)

Asia: Taipei (Chinese Taipei)

Europe: Paris (France);

Copenhagen/ Malmo (Denmark/Sweden) joint bid;

Amsterdam (Netherlands);

Madrid (Spain);

Kiev (Ukraine).

North America: Toronto (Canada);

Philadelphia (USA).