Utah governor remains confident
Posted: Tuesday January 26, 1999 10:14 PM
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Gov. Leavitt said he will not return Salt Lake City's bid AP |
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Gov. Mike Leavitt called for the International Olympic Committee to "step up" and ensure the 2002 Winter Games are successful, but remained confident that Salt Lake City will prove it's the best host for the games.
He said IOC officials should expect fewer perks and make other concessions if corporate sponsors are scared away by the corruption scandal. He did not say, as some have, that the IOC should pay for any shortfalls in Olympic fundraising.
"I believe the money will come," Leavitt said. "In my discussions with corporate sponsors there is still very large support based on the way we've reacted and responded. If the money does not materialize we do have other options."
Leavitt said that when he approved the Salt Lake Organizing Committee budget last fall, he required there be a contingency plan for running the games on $100 million less than budgeted.
He discredited a push by some Utah citizen groups to return the Olympic bid, and said he believes there is a "deeper resolve" than ever to stage a successful games to showcase Utah values to the world and redeem the state's image.
"It makes no sense at all for us to even consider at this point backing out," he said. "We were the best city in the world. We still are."
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