Shadow of Samaranch still hangs over Madrid's 2016 Olympic bid

From James Toney, Sportsbeat, in Copenhagen

FOR two decades he ran the International Olympic Committee with an iron grip - now Madrid's 2016 bid team are hoping Juan Antonio Samaranch can deliver one last surprise in Copenhagen.

POLITICAL SUPPORT: Spanish PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has hailed the influence of Juan Antonio Samaranch

Samaranch quit as IOC President after the Sydney Olympics nine years ago but still carries enormous influence even if - aged 89 - he can no longer vote in host city elections.

Four years ago his behind the scenes politicking put Madrid within just two votes of a final round run-off against London - a head-to-head that most observers believe they would have won.

Many senior IOC officials owe their positions to the largesse of Samaranch, whose son, Juan Antonio Samaranch junior, is also an IOC member and key figure in the Madrid bid.

Samaranch senior's network of allies and contacts extends around the world, with Africa and eastern European - he served as an ambassador to the Soviet Union in the late 1970's - still considered his powerbases.

Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero joined King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and Madrid mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon for a quick-fire round of IOC diplomacy today - holding over 50 meetings with members ahead of tomorrow's vote.

Bookmakers still make Madrid the rank outsiders  - behind Chicago, Rio and Tokyo - but Zapatero isn't concerned.

And he believes that with Samaranch on his side, anything is possible.

"He is a great point of reference and there is so much respect for him," he said.

"He has done so much for Spain and so much for the Olympic Games and so much for this bid.

"We can be very grateful for the love that is shown towards him within the Olympic movement.

"After today's meetings I'm more optimistic than ever that Madrid can be successful tomorrow."   

Long-time Samaranch ally and Executive Board member, Mexico's Mario Vasquez Rana, was among those courted by Madrid today.

The head of the Pan-American Sports Organisation is one of the most powerful men in world sport - with a wide-reaching remit that extends across the Americas in every Olympic sport.

While IOC members always play down the existence of voting blocs, Rana wields tremendous influence, which could be put to use in Madrid's favour - despite the presence of two cities - Rio and Chicago - from the PASO region.