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| Halifax 2014 CEO Scott Logan, makes a point in his presentation |
TORTOLA—Halifax, Canada, became the second of three cities bidding to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games to seek the BVI’s support, when they made a presentation to the BVI Olympic Committee and member federations on Sunday.
Halifax’s presentation came on the heels of one made last month by Glasgow, Scotland. Abuja, Nigeria, is the other city bidding for the games. The cities will submit their bid books to the Commonwealth Games Federation in London on May 9. The winning international bid will be decided in Sri Lanka, on Nov 9.
“We think it’s important to hear the perspectives of every nation and territory in the Commonwealth. That’s 71 nations and our goal is to visit them all and to ensure our games reflect their needs,” stated Halifax 2014 CEO Scott Logan, who was accompanied by International Relations Director Kate Randall. “Our bid is athlete focused. We feel that our bid will look after the care, comfort and convenience of athletes. What that means, is that when they get to competition, we would have created all the conditions for their success. There will be no distractions, no stresses, just world class facilities to allow them to do their best.”
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| BVI Olympic Committee president Rey O'Neal, Halifax CEO, Scott Logan and Minister of Sports Lloyd Black |
The BVI was Logan’s 46th presentation and he said there were helpful questions and questions that challenged them to continue thinking about how to better prepare their bid. He also said the camaraderie was good and it’s important for them to develop good relationships with people they want to have a long relationship with.
While several Canadian cities have hosted multi-sport games, Halifax has only hosted single sport World Championships. Logan said winning such a bid would transition the city which is already evolving. “This would take it to the next level in a number of ways, economically, transportation, various forms of infrastructure,” he noted. “But most importantly, it would give us world class facilities to grow our sports and recreation interest; to give more kids an opportunity to participate in sport and to continue to welcome the Commonwealth back to participate in ongoing athletic opportunities.”
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| Participants listening to Scott Logan's presentation |
The Halifax team who presented in Anguilla before coming to the BVI and will have their next presentation in Jamaica, said to win the bid, they have to continue to honor their promises. He said that means the things that speak to their bid are important if they are going to have people trusting and voting for them. “They have to know that what we say is the truth and that’s only by demonstrating that we have the plans in place and the commitment to seeing the plans through,” Logan explained. “When we present our bid books on May 9, that’s our contract with the Commonwealth Games Federation and all the members have to see their input in that bid book. The things that are important to them have to jump off the page.”
