The Olympic vote

Don't open the champagne until you’ve got something to celebrate. This is what happened to Madrid on Saturday because a large number of people had convinced themselves that the Spanish capital would be the venue for the 2020 Olympic Games. Spanish television went to the Olympic vote live, a massive party had been organised in Madrid. The whole nation appeared to believe that Madrid would win, thanks to certain sections of the media and the Spanish government. In the end it all ended in tears, Madrid was knocked into third place and Tokyo won by a landslide. Spain was speechless. It was a major shock. The party organised in Madrid came to an abrupt end and the Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was forced to tell the nation that their vote had been rejected. It was a sad night for Madrid because this should have been third time lucky for Madrid but in the end it was a vote too far. For the 2012 Olympics. Madrid came third, for the 2016 Games it came second and this time it was meant to come first. No such luck. Madrid can’t enter the race again. It must accept the fact that it is not to be.  But the Spanish government also must realise that they should not raise the expectations of the nation because at the end of the day it is the International Olympic  committee which makes the decision. It was a cruel blow to Spain  but on the sporting front, Spain has many reason to feel proud.