If Madrid wins its bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games, Valencia will be the Olympic Sailing Centre.

The mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz Gallardon, accompanied by the president of the Valencian Government Francisco Camps, travelled to Valencia to present the city as the sailing centre.

Alberto Ruiz Gallardon stated that Valencia is the ideal city for the sailing centre, given its established experience in organising events such as the World Indoor Athletics Championships, the European Formula 1 Grand Prix, the city of Valencia Tennis Open 500 and above all the Americas Cup. Sailing has become a new link between the two cities that are getting ever closer to each another; the new AVE high speed train service will bring the journey time between two of 21st century Spain's most dynamic cities down to just over one hour.

The agreement having been sealed with mayoress of Valencia Rita Barbera, we all await the decision that the IOC will take in Copenhagen on 2 October 2009 and hope that Madrid is chosen to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

It will be major news given the global impact that organising the Olympic Games means, the improvements to infrastructure that will take place in a large part of Spain and the union between Madrid and the Community of Valencia; a union already in place today given the large number of Madrid residents who choose the Community of Valencia as their holiday destination and where many already have a second home. The AVE high speed train and improved infrastructure will greatly reduce journey time and make the trip between Community of Valencia and the capital of Spain a good deal easier.