National leaders push bids before vote on 2014 Olympics

GUATEMALA CITY — Russia offered vast public spending and the support of its powerful president for the 2014 Winter Olympics, while Austria promised to "rock the world" with a no-risk event, hours before Wednesday's final vote on the site.

The leaders of Russia, Austria and South Korea put their prestige on the line by personally leading their countries' final appeals to the International Olympic Committee, which was to vote Wednesday night after a yearslong lobbying campaign that cost tens of millions of dollars.

Russian President Vladimir Putin promised "a safe, enjoyable and memorable experience" — and no traffic jams — in Sochi, a city better known abroad as a Black Sea beach resort at the foot of a mountain range.

He noted Russia has allocated $12 billion to beef up winter sports facilities ahead of the Olympics.

Putin, one of the world's most powerful figures, emphasized his commitment to Russia's first Winter Olympics by making a rare formal presentation in English, and by closing in French: "Millions of Russians await your decision with hope."

He praised Sochi's natural setting, saying, "On the seashore you can enjoy a fine spring day, but up in the mountains, it's winter ... a real snow is guaranteed."

Although the site will have to be built largely from scratch, Putin assured, "We guarantee the Olympic cluster in Sochi will be completed on time."

Austria promised easy-to-reach, well-established venues in Salzburg, a ski resort in the heart of Europe, and said it would bring more fans — and more long-term profits — to the Olympic movement.

Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer, whose team followed the Russians, promised to "take the Olympic Games back to the fundamental core of the Olympic ideals. Winter sport is in our DNA."

Salzburg Mayor Heinz Schaden promised "no risk, all return and a boost to the Olympic movement," portraying Salzburg as a city that "will embrace the spirit of the Olympic movement and hand it back to you even stronger."

"If you combine the brand of the Winter Games with the brand of Salzburg, you create a momentum that will rock the world," Schaden said.

Mindful that the city's failed Mozart-themed bid for the 2010 games was considered confusing and stodgy, Austria presented a film of young locals celebrating to "We Will Rock You."