IOC begins 4-day inspection of Madrid's 2020 plans

HAROLD HECKLE
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy speaks to the press after a meeting with the International Olympic Committee during the first day of an inspection tour for the candidate city of the 2020 Olympic Games in Madrid, Spain, Monday, March 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki).

MADRID (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has told IOC inspectors that much of the infrastructure needed for Madrid's bid to host the 2020 Olympics is already built and the city has an excellent transport system.

The IOC's evaluation commission began a four-day inspection of Madrid's bid on Monday. Madrid is competing against Tokyo and Istanbul.

Rajoy says "80 percent of the sports facilities needed to hold an Olympic Games are already built."

Madrid's transport system is expected to suffer partial strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Three demonstrations are also planned to coincide with the IOC visit.

The panel has already visited Tokyo and will travel to Istanbul next week. The IOC will select the host city on Sept. 7.