Guadalajara pull out of race to host 2014 Summer Youth Olympics

By Duncan Mackay

January 23 - Mexican city Guadalajara has withdrawn its bid to host the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games following a poor evaluation report from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that placed it firmly behind its rivals Nanjing and Poznan.

The State Government, though, claimed it was because they wanted to "give top priority to the organisation of the XVI Pan American Games 2011."

The IOC Evaluation Commission, chaired by former world 200 metres champion Frankie Fredericks, warned that if Guadalajara were chosen to host the Games then it would represent significant risks, particularly financially.

There were also doubts following a delay in building facilities for the Pan American Games.

Emilio González Márquez, the Governor of Jalisco, decided to withdraw the candidature following a meeting of the Bid Committee.

A statement said: "Notwithstanding the efforts made, due to time constraints, by serious financial constraints and the urgency of completing and consolidating the actions related to the Pan American Games, it was concluded that under such circumstances it is impossible to assume, simultaneously, the organisation of two events of such importance and complexity, therefore, unanimously, the Mexican Olympic Committee, in conjunction with state and municipal governments have decided to decline the request to host the Youth Olympic Games II Summer 2014.

"There is no time to lose and all efforts and resources should focus on the Pan American Games which is our major challenge.

"Now more than ever it is essential that we receive the support and understanding of all.

"These circumstances, complex and difficult, have strengthened the unity between the parties involved with the organisation of the Pan American Games as well as its management capacity and the possibility of achieving greater efficiency in the use of human resources, material and financial resources for important event."

It will leave Nanjing, the former capital of China before the Communist Revolution in 1949, as the firm favourite to be chosen by the IOC members when they vote at their Session in Vancouver on February 10.

They received a glowing report from Evaluation Commission and already have 21 of the 25 venues needed to host the event, with all of them located within 30 minutes of the proposed Olympic Village.

Poznan,the Polish city which has recently hosted a number of major events, including the World Track Cycling Championships and the World Rowing Championships, must overcome the IOC's doubts about whether its proposed budget of $62.74 million (£39.06 million) is enough to cover the event.

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