Cape Town's bid for the 2016 Olympic games and Paralympic games will draw on all that Cape Town has to offer, by setting the
games at the very heart, of this, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Making use of some of Cape Town's most loved
historical landmarks and existing world class sports facilities this will be amongst the most memorable and most magical games
for Africa and for the World.
The 25,000 capacity Sahara Park Newlands, the host to the cricket world cup opening ceremony, with one of the most spectacular
backdrops in the world will be the venue for archery.
The football tournament held in some of the best world class stadia across South Africa used for the 2010 FIFA World Cup will
climax in finals at the 40,000 seat Athlone Football Stadium 15km from the Olympic Park and the world renowned Newlands Rugby
Stadium. Robben Island, the world heritage site on which Nelson Mandela was imprisoned will become the venue for shot put,
providing a majestic view of Cape Town's most well known symbol, Table Mountain.
Ensuring the games have a distinct character, the games will also take advantage of some of Cape Town's most loved landmarks.
Cape Town's previously disadvantaged areas will receive maximum benefit from the games and world class indoor sports centres
at Mew Way, Phillpi East and Belhar will stage, the Boxing Competition, Basketball Prelims and Judo and Taekwondo Events,
ensuring that all of Cape Town experiences the joy, excitement and drama of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Greenpoint Olympic Park Area , home of the Olympic Stadium, will apart from hosting the triathlon events, canoe/kayak
slalom course,the new futuristic tennis centre and two arenas, will be one of the many locations to bring the city alive with
nightly concerts and celebrations. The Olympic spirit will touch all of Cape Town transforming its most beautiful areas into
Olympic sites. The twelve apostles will provide a stunning and breathtaking backdrop to the beach volleyball event at camps
bay beach.
But this games isn't just about using what Cape Town already has to offer, it's also about creating a legacy for the future,
by the most extensive transformation Cape Town has seen for generations. The Olympic park is a stones throw away from central
Cape Town, every aspect of the design and layout has been planned to meet the future needs of Olympic and Paralympic athletes,
NOC's, international federations and the IOC. The centre piece will be a 80,000 seat state of the art Olympic stadium with
retractable roof which will host 2010 FIFA world cup matches. This will sit alongside a 16,000 seat aquatic centre and . Two
other indoor arenas will provide a home for handball, rhythmic gymnastics and wrestling.
The Inner Olympic Ring consists of venues within a 10km radius of the Olympic Village, including the Hartleyvale Hockey
Venue, the 6,000 seater Bellville Velodrome and the Athlone Sports Complex which includes the 40,000 seater Athlone Stadium.
The Olympic Outer Ring comprises of venues that are within a 20km radius of the Olympic Village including many of the previously
disadvantaged areas and only Sailing and Modern Pentathlon within the Western Cape will be more than 45km from the Olympic
Village, but they are strategically placed to ensure that spectators enjoy the rich floral beauty that the Western Cape has
to offer and also ensuring that these regions benefit from world class sports facilities.
The Olympic village will provide secure, spacious and comfortable accommodation for all athletes and team delegations;
it sits five minutes from the Olympic park and forms part of the east side city centre urban regeneration plans. Other existing
venues such as the Good hope centre and the excellent Cape Town International Convention Centre will be used for table tennis,
wrestling and weightlifting this ensures that over 80% of athletes will complete within 20km of the Olympic village, making
this, one of the most compact games ever.
Central Cape Town is just 1 minute away by train via a new underground rail link to the city centre and the Olympic Spear
line. Five other rail and underground lines will form the basis of a comprehensive public transport system capable of moving
200,000 people an hour, quickly, efficiently and reliably.
And when the games are over Cape Town will have greatly needed sports facilities enabling it to host future African and World
championships. The Olympic park will house a new world class institute of sports and the area will be transformed with the
development of new parklands, homes and businesses, creating a sustainable community with sport at its heart. The 2016 Olympic
Games and Paralympic Games will transform Cape Town and Cape Town will bring to the games the Capetonian flavour and creativity,
the Western Cape's beauty and the South African passion for sport.
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