By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
January 24 – Polish and Ukrainian officials have been talking enthusiastically about Euro 2012, which is due to start in 500 days time, claiming that the event will boost tourism to both countries and leave a lasting legacy that will benefit generations of citizens.
Adam Olkowicz, the director of Euro 2012 in Poland, claimed that up to one million fans will visit country during the event, which is due to kick-off in Warsaw on June 8, 2012.
Olkowicz claimed infrastructure being built for Euro 2012, including stadiums, roads and railways, will remain long after the Championships end, adding that Poland’s membership of the European Union has also helped with financing the projects.
But Olkowicz admitted that not all projects connected with Euro 2012 will be completed, pointing to the failure to build a number of expressways.
Poland’s Euro 2012 director also expressed regret that there have been few attempts at revitalising the area surrounding the National Stadium in Warsaw.
“In 2007 [when Poland and Ukraine were awarded Euro 2012], we were fully aware that only the first half of the match, against the other bidders, was over,” said Olkowicz, who is also Deputy President of Poland’s Football Association.
“In the second half, our only opponent is time.”
But Marcin Herra, the chief executive of Euro 2012 in Poland, predicted that the event had already been a huge success.
“There’s a big difference when we compare the beginning of 2008, when only one or two investments were under construction,” said the former oil-industry executive.
“We expect that 100 per cent will be under construction in the first half of 2011.
“Poland’s the biggest construction site in Europe.
“There’s a huge amount of work, and it’s very, very visible,”
Poland and Ukraine have been bedevilled by doubters from the outset.
“In 2008 there was a first report by UEFA, and it gave a yellow card,” said Herra.
“And because of that, the message which went out to the world was that this is high risk.
“So it’s always difficult to change this.”
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian director of Euro 2012, Markiyan Lubkivskiy underlined that the most important tasks lying ahead for the country include the choosing of management of the stadiums and airports.
Lubkivskiy claimed that last year’s delays with construction have been made up, and that all the airports and stadiums will be opened on time for Euro 2012.
Of most concern are the stadiums in Kiev and Lviv, which are being built with public funds, both of which are due to open later this year.
New airport terminals are also to be built in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, in Lviv and in Donetsk.
The final of the tournament is due to be held in Kiev on July 1, 2012.
Ukrainian officials says Kiev’s Stadium should open by August 24, in time for the 20th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union.
“Today there is no risk, not for the tournament in Ukraine, nor for any serious component of it,” said Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Borys Kolesnikov, who holds the Euro 2012 portfolio.
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