Jakarta bids for Olympics 2008

Jakarta bids for Olympics 2008

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports
Hayono Isman will report to President Soeharto on Jakarta's bid
to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.

"Staging a huge event such as the Olympics will not be easy
considering the economic situation in our country," Hayono said.

Antara reported other countries to put in a bid to host the
Games in 2008 are Osaka, Istanbul, Pusan in South Korea and
Moscow.

Hayono said: "Indonesia has to reconsider its bid to host the
event in 2008. I think staging the Olympics in 2012 would be much
better for us."

"It will be great if we can raise the funds to stage the event
in 2008. But I will consult with President Soeharto first," he
said.

If Indonesia wins a bid to host the 2006 Asian Games, the
country will have a chance to prepare itself to host the 2012
Olympics.

"We can learn from South Korea," Hayono said.

He said he did not know if Indonesia had to submit a proposal
to host the multisports event but he thought it was an initiative
from Indonesia's International Olympic Committee member Muhammad
(Bob) Hasan.

"I will try to get reports from Pak Bob Hasan on Jakarta's bid
as an Olympic host," he said. (yan)