Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Dubai set to investigate bid for 2020 Olympics


A top level group including government officials has been set up to explore the possibility of Dubai hosting the Olympic Games in 2020, Dubai's ruler announced on Sunday.Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and UAE prime minister and vice president, launched ‘Dubai 2020’, a new initiative that will "focus a number of sectors within the UAE around the common goal of furthering social and economic progress for the region".Central to this project, a working group of government and private sector representatives will explore the potential of Dubai hosting the World Expo and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020

"Bringing together these two world events in one place – each for the first time in the Middle East – would be a unique proposition, uniting business, science and technology with sport, education and culture," a statement from the Dubai ruler's office said. Speaking about Dubai 2020, Sheikh Mohammed said: “We need to engage our community here in Dubai and the UAE in a discussion about our vision and everyone’s role in our future. "For this we need a clear, common goal that highlights shared universal human values. The Dubai 2020 initiative will look at how we can shape our environment and society for future generations. It will address, in an integrated way, the building blocks that underpin social and economic progress - sport, education, culture, business, science, technology, health and the environment."These two global events – the Olympic Games and World Expo – give us a sense of common purpose and play to our strengths. Dubai is already home to people from different nationalities and cultures who live in friendship and peace. And I believe we can deepen this respect and mutual understanding if we work together to achieve something spectacular and meaningful.”The working group will be chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, while H.H. Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will be the vice chairman. A feasibility study will be undertaken before further decisions are taken regarding making any formal bids to the International Olympic Committee and the Bureau of International Expositions

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