IOC voting figures reveal comprehensive Rio win in 2016 race

From James Toney, Sportsbeat, in Copenhagen

RIO de Janeiro didn't beat Madrid for the right to stage the 2016 Olympics - they thrashed them.

CELEBRATION: Joy of football legend Pele as Rio secure the right to stage the 2016 Olympic Games in Copenhagen

International Olympic Committee officials have released the official voting figures, which will be poured over by insiders, with conspiracy theories bound to emerge in the coming hours, as losers retire to Copenhagen's clubs and bars to drown their sorrows.

Rio outpolled Madrid by more than two votes to one in the final round of voting. IOC President Jacques Rogge said it would be close - he couldn't have been more wrong.

It was clear IOC members heeded a call from Brazilian President President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to stage the Games in a new continent - and break one of sports final barriers.

Rio polled 66 votes to Madrid's 32 with one abstention.

Earlier, Tokyo were omitted after getting just 20 votes, compared to the 46 received by Rio and 29 gained by Madrid.

But the biggest surprise remains the total failure of the Chicago bid - considered an odds-on favourite this morning.

They were omitted after the first round of voting after just 18 IOC members backed their campaign.

Madrid actually lead after the first round with 28 votes to Rio's 26 and Tokyo's 22.

But it is clear Tokyo and Chicago's support flocked to the Brazilian city after their elimination.