Business News
Madrid holds its breath and hopes for Olympic win - and a party
Oct 2, 2009, 9:32 GMT
Madrid - Confident of being chosen to host the 2016 Olympic Games, Spain's capital Madrid was Friday preparing for a huge party.
Two giant screens were put up on the Plaza de Oriente square facing the royal palace, where thousands of people were expected to show up to watch a live broadcast of the presentation of Madrid's candidacy in Copenhagen.
Music bands, jugglers and others were then scheduled to entertain the public until the International Olympic Committee announced whether Madrid, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro or Tokyo had won the race.
If Madrid is chosen, celebrations will be staged Saturday at the Cibeles square, at some distance from which trucks were already on standby, loaded with equipment to mount a giant stage.
Madrid mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon has expressed confidence that Madrid will win the race, although with a narrow margin of votes.
Madrid's candidacy has received an enthusiastic backing from its residents, with more than 100,000 people demonstrating in its favour on Sunday. Local restaurants joined in with 'Olympic menus.'
Other candidate cities are Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.
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