Officials in Toronto promised to put in another bid for the games

Canada's most populous city had presented itself as a risk-free, multi-cultural option.

In the last few days there had been sudden and increasing optimism that Toronto might actually beat the favourite.

David Crombie, the chairman of the bid committee and a former city mayor, expressed the disappointment of many.

"It is a mixture of emotions. Boy, you sure want to win - it's better to win. But if you're going to lose, the second best thing is to lose with grace - and promise you're going to come back again," he said.

A lot of people think Toronto will bid again - and at the end of the day, Toronto's loss may be to the advantage of another Canadian city - Vancouver is bidding for the Winter Olympics in 2010.