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IOC to continue cost-cutting efforts for Olympic host cities: Bach
Buenos Aires, Oct 7 (IANS) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will continue taking measures to cut costs for Olympic host cities in an effort to make future Games attractive to bidders, the organization’s president Thomas Bach has said.
Bach also said that the IOC will not make contingency plans for the 2026 Winter Games amid reports that several cities have withdrawn from the race, Xinhua news agency reported.
“There is no Plan B and we will not enter into any speculation,” Bach told reporters on Saturday ahead of the Youth Olympics opening ceremony in Buenos Aires.
He added: “What is true is we have to continue our efforts, particularly with regard to winter sports, to be more flexible in order to reduce costs, avoid construction of sports facilities that have no legacy.”
Under recent changes, winter Games host cities are no longer required to build new luge, bobsleigh and ski jumping facilities.
Bach’s comments follow decisions by Austria’s Graz, Switzerland’s Sion and Japan’s Sapporo to abandon their 2026 bids, reportedly due to concerns about costs and strong local opposition.
Calgary, Stockholm and a joint Italian bid involving Cortina D’Ampezzo and Milan were this week short-listed to host the event.
However Calgary’s plans could be stymied by a non-binding plebiscite in November while Stockholm and the Italian candidacy are said to be struggling for political support.
Bach said demand to stage the winter and summer Games remained strong while several sports have shown interest in obtaining Olympic status.
“We have more than a dozen sports who would like to join Olympic programme,” he said. “Quite a number of interested cities, big number of interested cities (for the 2032 summer Games). We should not be worried for the future.”
The 2020 summer Games will be held in Tokyo while Beijing will host the 2022 winter Olympics. The 2024 and 2028 summer editions will be staged in Paris and Los Angeles respectively.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.