Olympics build up to a climax
AS IF to hammer home to FIFA the ability of the country to put on a top sporting event, the Olympic Delivery Authority was yesterday able to announce 88 per cent of the building work has already been completed.
What is more, for the first time Hugh Robertson, the Sports Minister, has put on record his belief that it will all come in under the projected £9.3 billion budget.
It is a far cry from the situation four years down the line in Brazil, where the architect of the course to host the first Olympic golf tournament for more than 100 years is still not known.
You have to wonder about the expertise of a nation that boasts just one player in the world’s top 800
Jack Nicklaus is believed to be strong favourite in a joint bid with Annika Sorenstam to design the 18 holes, although Robert Trent Jones jnr – who has over 250 courses under his belt – is also known to have visited the area.
The final decision is to be left with the local organising committee rather than the International Golf Federation – although you have to wonder about the expertise of a nation that boasts just one player in the world’s top 800.