Disappointment in Spain as Olympic hopes are lost
By DPA, IANSFriday, October 2, 2009
MADRID - Spain’s Queen Sofia Friday congratulated Rio de Janeiro for having been chosen to host the 2016 Olympics, though Spain was “disappointed” about Madrid having lost the race.
“Congratulations Rio,” the queen told Spanish National Television in Copenhagen, also congratulating Spaniards for the “good job” they had done in promoting Madrid’s candidacy.
Some 6,000 Madrid residents had gathered at the capital’s central Plaza de Oriente square to follow a live broadcast of the presentation of Madrid’s candidacy on two gigantic screens.
They jumped, waving their hands, balloons and colourful plastic hands which symbolized Madrid’s candidacy in the run-up to the IOC vote.
When the choice of Rio de Janeiro was announced, silence fell, and some people started crying.
Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon had expressed confidence in Madrid’s victory, and preparations had been made for a giant celebration Saturday.
Polls showed that nearly 90 percent of Madrid residents backed the city’s candidacy, and more than 100,000 people demonstrated in favour of it Sunday.
