Thousands lament Madrid’s Olympic fiesta that nearly was after losing to Rio de Janeiro

Madrid laments the Olympic fiesta that nearly was

MADRID — For thousands of Madrid supporters, the 2016 Olympics likely will be remembered as the fiesta that was nearly theirs.

The Spanish capital lost out in the final round of voting as Rio de Janeiro won the right to host the games.

Rio de Janeiro edged Madrid in the International Olympic Committee’s final voting session at Copenhagen to make it two straight misses for the Spanish capital, which finished third behind winner London and Paris for the 2012 games.

Crowds gathered in front of the Royal Palace in anticipation of celebrating, with huge multicolored hands — the city’s bid symbol — waving in the air.

Then came the painful, final announcement.

Tokyo and Chicago were eliminated in the first two rounds.

“We lost because the others are in London, and they needed to make a change,” a disappointed 19-year-old Lara Perez said before the crowd quickly left the Plaza de Oriente square as images of celebrating Brazilian delegates played on the huge television screens.

Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said Madrid left with “dignity” and didn’t rule out a 2020 run.

“We were nearly there, but Rio won,” Zapatero told Spanish reporters. “Now is not the moment to talk about 2020. Madrid is always a strong candidate, but it depends on the city, not me.”

Supporters thought Madrid had a good chance when Chicago was eliminated in the first round, despite U.S. President Barack Obama’s personal plea.

Public support had been one of Madrid’s strongest points — it had the highest rating of any of the four candidates — thanks in part to a string of successes in tennis, basketball, cycling and soccer, with Spain ending 44 years of major championship futility last summer with a European championship victory.

Organizers were confident that Madrid’s readiness, experience and reputation would help it overcome the geographical liability of trying to host the games immediately after London.

Whara Guerra, 27, was glad South America would host its first games but had been pulling for Madrid, a city that had welcomed her since her arrival from Bolivia two years ago.

“I think Madrid had the better overall package and the best sport ambiance, so it’s painful,” said Guerra, who was clad in the yellow and green colors of the Brazilian flag. “This place has always welcomed me, it’s like home.”