Although most agree that Beijing is still the frontrunner for the 2008 Olympic Games, the question seems to be which city is number two.
Reports say that France’s daily sports paper, L’Equipe, was stunned that Toronto’s bid was deemed as worthy as those of Beijing and Paris.
The newspaper said, “Ontario’s capital never believed it would be ranked with Paris or Beijing, who were considered the two great favourites. It is true that they (Toronto) have a very pretty and compact proposal. But they were severely singed by the commission for their finances, which isn’t nothing when you consider how much the IOC loves money”.
British newspapers were split on which city, Toronto or Paris, has the best chance of overtaking Beijing.
The Telegraph, owned by Canadian Conrad Black, put Toronto second. The Guardian, which is for a united Europe, said Paris.
And Italy’s Gazetto dello Sport said Paris was a second close place to Beijing and Toronto was right behind. The paper called Toronto “an outsider” which could yet steal the show if, as has happened before, the others falter.
IOC member Dick Pound said Toronto is going to get the Olympics one of these days because it is a city which deserves them. The only question is whether this will happen in 2008, 2012 or 2016.
Meanwhile, British bookmaker William Hill yesterday made Beijing a 1 to 4 favourite to host the Olympics with Toronto second at 3 to 1 and Paris at 7 to 1.
And it also has Osaka and Istanbul quoted at 33 to 1. Graham Sharpe of William Hill told The Toronto Star, “the only reason we still have Istanbul and Osaka on the betting sheet is because anything can happen between now and the vote. You never know if one of the three frontrunners will drop out for some reason between now and the vote.
Sharpe added that while Toronto and Paris had solid bids, he used one word to sum up why his company has Beijing as the odds-on favourite: politics. “That’s the only reason we made Beijing the frontrunner. It is almost inevitable that Beijing will win it this time around after losing the last one by two votes to Sydney. It does have the political clout, make no mistake about it.
And he said Toronto has been favoured ahead of Paris because “London is making tentative noises of bidding for 2012 and if Paris gets it, there go our hopes”, said Sharp.
