August 31 - Usain Bolt and Cristiano Ronaldo have both given their backing to Madrid's bid to follow London and host the 2016 Olympics. 

Bolt, the Olympic and world 100 and 200 metres champion, and Ronaldo, the world's most expensive footballer having moved during the summer for £80 million from Manchester United to Real Madrid, have become good friends and offered their support to the Spanish capital.

Ronaldo, who scored in his debut in Madrid's 3-2 victory over Deportivo de La Coruña on Saturday, said:  "I will pray for Madrid to host the Olympics in 2016 because I’d love to watch live all athletics events here."
 
Bolt, who made a special appearance at the Santiago Bernabu Stadium to mark the opening of the new La Liga season, was also enthusiastic about the prospect of Madrid staging the Games.

He said: "After the welcome I have had, I would really love to run here.

"This weather is incredible.

"I wish the 2016 Olympics are held here.

"Surely they’ll do a great job.

"The city has thrown itself into the bid and it has many facilities."

Bolt and Ronaldo's backing comes at the start of a week which the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are due to release the report of the Evaluation  Commission, which could play an important role when the members choose the host city for 2016 at its Session in Copenhagen on October 2.

Madrid's rivals are Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.