Gulf time informed:
DOHA has a powerful reason for bidding for the Olympics, because it would be a tremendous honour to host the first Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Arab-speaking world. Doha-2016 will embody the best traditions of Arab hospitality and encourage greater international awareness and understanding across the region and world.
Doha 2016 is motivated by a passion to contribute to the Olympic Movement in three ways:
*Ensuring state-of-the-art, technically excellent Games.
* Arab culture and hospitality will provide a memorable experience.
*Doha 2016 will bring the Olympic spirit directly to millions of Arabs for the first time.
Doha 2016 envisions a fourfold impact of the Olympic spirit:
*Reconnecting the Middle East to the wider international community
* Furthering Qatar’s economic and social development efforts.
* Focusing on Qatar as a model of progress in the region.* Promoting the true, hospitable Arab culture.
Government support
* The Doha 2016 Olympic Games Bid Committee enjoys the full and unconditional support of the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who has demonstrated an enduring commitment to developing sport in Qatar.All the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) heads of state support the Doha 2016 candidacy.
* The Emir has signed a covenant guaranteeing respect of the Olympic Charter, ensuring that the obligations of the bid committee are fulfilled and guaranteeing access to Qatar according to the Charter’s provisions.
Venues
* 70% of the proposed venues already exist and have served as sites for major international competitions.
* All venues in one city, including football and sailing
*From the Olympic Village in the centre of these clusters, 86% of all athletes will be within a radius of 10km of their venues.
*Doha 2016 worked with the Qatar Urban Planning and Development Authority to identify the ideal 67 hectare site for the Olympic Village:
* All athletes and team officials will live together in a single Olympic Village, housing 18,000 people.
*Doha 2016 has created a “Media City” in co-operation with Qatar University
*Qatar is also already building a state-of-the-art Paralympic stadium.
Environment
*Doha 2016 is 100% committed to hosting an environmentally sustainable, carbon-neutral Olympic and Paralympic Games
*According to the 2006 Sustainable Development Indicators in Qatar report, Qatar ranks among the most advanced countries in the world in terms of sustainability.
*Doha 2016 will conduct an international sustainable-design competition to find the most innovative technology for constructing the venues, Olympic Village, Media Village, and Main Media Centre.
*QOC has formed a Sport and Environment Committee to assist with advancing sustainable concepts related to sport and the environment and to support the Doha 2016 Bid.
Public Transportation
*QPWA: a comprehensive three-level concept for public transport, the Qatar Master Transportation Plan 2026.
*A Metro/LRT network, BRT/tram lines and bus network will provide services within the greater Doha area.
*The Metro light rail network will be developed in three stages, extending 140km in Doha when completed.
*Rail network will link all major Olympic venues and villages, including the new international port, and hotel district.
*Construction of phase one (85km) of the rail network will begin in 2009 and will be completed by late 2015.
Finance
* The budget for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Doha will be structured in principle on a 60/40 basis of public/private financing.
* The government of Qatar will provide up to 60% of the Organising Committee budget.
* In addition to the funding from the IOC and the government of Qatar, Doha 2016 estimates that it can generate US$784mn through an innovative commercial programme:Local estimated marketing revenue: Sponsorship $450mn,ticket sales $259mn, licensing $15mn, thers $60mn.
