In a survey, 93 per cent of Spaniards said they supported the Madrid bid. Chicago is close behind with the backing of 92 per cent of the American public, Rio is next with 89 per cent, and Tokyo last with 72 per cent.
“This weakens the Japanese bid immensely,” said Hartmut Zastrow, executive director at Sport+Markt. “The population’s passion for a sports event is the key to its success.”
Eurosport reports that Ichiro Kono, chairman and chief executive of Tokyo 2016, which came top in the International Olympic Committee’s technical evaluation last June ahead of Madrid, said, “Whatever poll is used, we are talking about more than 20 million supporters from Tokyo alone who will fill every venue, ensure a massive core of volunteers and create an incredible atmosphere to host the world's greatest sports event.”
