Policemen in Spain carry guns! Guns!

Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo - the four latest contenders to host an Olympic Games are preparing for the final, awful, joyful reckoning in Copenhagen next week. And when the members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) come to weigh up their respective strengths, personal impressions will inevitably play a part. Try as they might, the 106 men and women at the heart of the world’s greatest sporting event will be unable to expunge any memories they may have of the prospective venues as they struggle to come to the Right Decision.

Policemen in Spain carry guns! Guns!

September 25 - Pat McQuaid (pictured) was officially re-elected unopposed as the President of the UCI the world cycling federation's Congress in Lugano today.

doping scandals and now-settled conflicts with organisers of the three major tours of France, Italy and Spain

September 25 - Pat McQuaid (pictured) was officially re-elected unopposed as the President of the UCI the world cycling federation's Congress in Lugano today.

doping scandals and now-settled conflicts with organisers of the three major tours of France, Italy and Spain

September 25 - Pat McQuaid (pictured) was officially re-elected unopposed as the President of the UCI the world cycling federation's Congress in Lugano today.

doping scandals and now-settled conflicts with organisers of the three major tours of France, Italy and Spain

By Duncan Mackay September 24 - Qatar's bid to host the 2022 World Cup has received a massive boost after it was confirmed that five-time world champions Brazil will play England in a high-profile friendly match in Doha on November 14.

"We have played Spain, Holland, Germany and France, some of the best teams in the world.

By Duncan Mackay September 24 - Qatar's bid to host the 2022 World Cup has received a massive boost after it was confirmed that five-time world champions Brazil will play England in a high-profile friendly match in Doha on November 14.

"We have played Spain, Holland, Germany and France, some of the best teams in the world.

September 23 - Comedian Drew Carey (pictured) is the latest high-profile recruit to join the Board of the United States Bidding Committee for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hoping to bring the tournament back to the country for the first time since 1994.

tournament expected to return to Europe with England and Russia bidding along with joint bids from Spain

September 23 - Comedian Drew Carey (pictured) is the latest high-profile recruit to join the Board of the United States Bidding Committee for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hoping to bring the tournament back to the country for the first time since 1994.

tournament expected to return to Europe with England and Russia bidding along with joint bids from Spain

and trekked to Poland let me tell you that Great Britain’s narrow defeat against world champions Spain

have been very proud.   Britain found themselves in a group consisting of the eventual winners Spain

Just about the only downside of staging the Olympics is the number-crunchers and sporting know-nothings - particularly the former - who start butting in where they are neither wanted or needed. And my very particular gripe this week is their notion that there simply has to be a return – ie medals –  for any monies spent by UK Sport and other agencies.  

trekked to Poland let me tell you that Great Britain’s narrow defeat against world champions Spain

  Britain found themselves in a group consisting of the eventual winners Spain – runners

September 21 - Plans for 12 new stadiums and strong corporate backing should make the joint Belgium-Holland bid to co-host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup finals compelling, organisers said as they formally launched their bid at a ceremony attended by Johan Cruyff (pictured) and Ruud Gullit.

Belgium and Holland bid is ranked behind favourites England, Russia and another joint bid from Spain

September 21 - Plans for 12 new stadiums and strong corporate backing should make the joint Belgium-Holland bid to co-host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup finals compelling, organisers said as they formally launched their bid at a ceremony attended by Johan Cruyff (pictured) and Ruud Gullit.

Belgium and Holland bid is ranked behind favourites England, Russia and another joint bid from Spain

September 21 - Mark Cavendish (pictured) has been given until Thursday by Britain's selectors to prove his fitness for the World Championships at the weekend.

Olympic gold-medallist Geraint Thomas, while David Millar, winner of Saturday's time-trial in the Tour of Spain

September 19 - Argentine 1978 World Cup winners Osvaldo Ardiles (pictured) and Ricardo Villa have joined the England bid to stage the tournament in 2018.

chosen to host the 2018 World Cup but face strong European opposition from Russia and joint bids from Spain