Madrid is taking further steps towards the goal of hosting the 32nd edition of the summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020. In a largely attended event, Alejandro Blanco, President of the Spanish Olympic Committee and of Madrid 2020, together with Ana Botella, Mayor of Madrid, unveiled the Madrid Bid hallmarks –the team, the logo and the website.

There were more than 500 participants to the event, including HRH Infanta Pilar de Borbon, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Nora de Liechtenstein and José Perurena, member of the IOC. The event was hosted by Virginia Ruano and Gervasio Deferr.

Alejandro Blanco’s words reflected the enthusiasm put into this bid. As the President stated, “Madrid is applying to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the third consecutive time counting on the experience acquired in previous bids. Achieving the Games will represent a source of economic development that will boost the industrial and commercial activity”.

The logo representing the city’s bid was created by the Aragonese designer Luis Peiret, who won the competition of ideas called by Madrid 2020. Peiret’s design is based on the Alcala Gate –a historical monument with which the author wants to symbolize a gate to future and unity. In the words of Víctor Sánchez, General Secretary of the Spanish Olympic Committee and CEO of the bid, “this is the bid’s philosophy –a commitment to young people. We want to collaborate in the recovery of all values that have always been attached to the sports world and to the Olympic movement”.

The webpage (www.madrid2020.es) is a 2.0 site that will allow users to interact under the Madrid 2020 arguments –perseverance, reliability, innovation, participation and support.