Beijing victory may be Tampa's, too

By BILL VARIAN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 14, 2001

TAMPA -- Boosters for Tampa's bid to win the 2012 Olympics had a bottle of sparkling wine at the ready as they tuned in to CNN on Friday morning.

When they got the news that they were hoping to hear -- that Beijing, not Toronto, was awarded the 2008 Summer Olympics -- a cheer went up but the wine stayed corked.

"We've decided we had too much work to do to drink champagne," said Ed Turanchik, president and chief executive officer of Florida 2012, the group formed to bring the Olympics to Tampa.

Tampa organizers said Friday's vote by the International Olympic Committee moves them into medal contention for securing the 2012 Games. While Beijing was considered the favorite for 2008, the Tampa group feared Toronto might wrestle the Olympics away, making it unlikely the IOC would place back-to-back Summer Games in North America.

"When all this started I felt like the Olympics were such a dream," said Mayor Dick Greco, who stopped by the Florida 2012 headquarters on E Kennedy Boulevard after the vote. "The more you look at it, the more I believe there's an excellent chance.

"I think this is exactly where we wanted to be," Greco said.

Toronto fell a distant second to Beijing in the second-round ballot Friday.

Toronto may renew its bid for the 2012 Games, creating more competition for Tampa. But its effort could be hampered if Whistler/Vancouver in Canada gets the nod for the 2010 Winter Games.

"This is the best scenario that could have happened," Turanchik said. "I think if Toronto had gotten it, it would have killed us."

It certainly would have killed the mood for the upcoming site visit by the United States Olympic Committee Aug. 2-5. Tampa organizers are busily preparing for several presentations and tours.

The Tampa Bay area is competing against Cincinnati, Baltimore/Washington D.C., New York City, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco to host the Games if they are held in the United States.

Turanchik said the Beijing vote will now enable Florida 2012 to begin fund-raising in earnest by lending credibility to the Tampa Bay bid. As if to underscore the point, Greco was accompanied Friday by longtime friend Eddie DeBartolo Jr., one of the nation's biggest mall developers and former owner of professional football's San Francisco 49ers.

DeBartolo got the full treatment as he watched a promotional Florida 2012 video and got an overview from Turanchik. Turanchik said they talked about the potential for economic development.

"I think this is just exciting for the area," DeBartolo said. "Right now I'm just here as a fan and supporter."

- Bill Varian can be reached at (813) 226-3387 or at varian@sptimes.com.

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