Dear, the announcement of the bid submitted for the Winter Olympics of 2022, by Barcelona, ​​is good news and I hope that we can check back in 12 years. But after a few weeks we have seen positions contrary, essentially based on four reasons: 1) we are in crisis and there are other priorities, 2) does not make sense to develop the city after the event, 3) has an electioneering purposes; and 4) lack of sensitivity and solidarity with the nomination of Jaca.

Let the first. In 1981, when then-Mayor Narcis Serra do what the mayor Hereu, we were not in crisis, no, it had everything to do! 29 years ago! I have reviewed the newspaper La Vanguardia and had letters to the editor saying the same thing now. Eleven years later, in 1992, self-esteem of the city and the country overflow.

The second. Barcelona no longer need to be events. Barcelona is now. In October last year the real estate consultant Cushman & Wakefield presented his study on twenty-perception and attractiveness of European cities for doing business. The first three were the traditional London, Paris and Frankfurt and the fourth ... Barcelona. If dear, Barcelona is the fourth European city more attractive to businesses of the 34 considered, and the number 1 in quality of life. A few days ago, the FDI Magazine (Financial Times) published the study European Cities & Regions of the Future 2010/11 , well, Barcelona was the city's number 5 in a list of 25 and an analysis of 223 cities . One last piece, the Euromonitor International announced its Top City Destination Ranking , which contains the 100 cities that received more international tourists in 2008: London, New York and Bangkok are the first three and Barcelona is 19.

Third, the electoral purpose. Less noise and insistence, in 1981 this charge was also heard, they were also clear that other time. But I think in this case there are strategic vision, as if Barcelona is as clear in the preceding paragraph need to strengthen the brand, and in 2022 will Barcelona'92 thirty years!

And finally, the fourth, the low sensitivity and solidarity with the bid Jaca, especially when it has presented four times without success. From a Spanish perspective one can understand the feeling, and it is true that ultimately decides who will be the Spanish Olympic Committee, but in today's world but do not compete States territories, and especially the cities - a detail that reality is the same report FDI Magazine - reason that supports the need to strengthen the brand that I said before. This being so, I do not see any problem if the competition is fair, not as happens, for example, in the case of airport management between Madrid and Barcelona .

Barcelona'92 we learned one thing: the importance of management involvement in the Olympic projects (see attached bibliography). Without the confluence of interests, in the early eighties, including Juan Antonio Samaranch (then candidate for President of the IOC) and Narcis Serra, Barcelona had not nominated or games had been made in the city, and this fact that my hypothesis is that Heir to the mayor, or someone in Madrid he proposed the idea of ​​the Winter Olympics of 2022, or that when he explained, not told that way. After the fiascos of the capital, at least try to play it safe - ought to think - because as I said before, the 2022 will Barcelona'92 thirty years, thirty years will not return to Spain to organize the Olympic Games.

Finally, in times of crisis better than the projects, remember that this is the future of the past, and we all wish that this 2022 is better than the current one.

Joseph Albet

Reference books:

Samaranch, the sport of power. James Arcadi Boix and Espada. 1999. Sword Today.
The Malaysian drop. Maragall, the obstinación and power. 1998. Luis and Luis Uría Mauri. Peninsula.
Keys to success: social, sporting, economic and communications impact of Barcelona '92. 1995. Miquel and Miquel de Moragas bottle. Centre for Olympic Studies and Sports. UAB.
Barcelona 92: two weeks of euphoria. Permanyer Louis and others. 1992. City Council / Scope Editorial Services.