French international footballer Zinedine Zidane was part of the Paris bid committee

On a cold and damp day in the city, the weather seemed to reflect the mood inside the City Hall.

Although Beijing was always favourite to gain the nomination, there was great disappointment amongst the assembled dignitaries and young athletes when the result was announced.

Paris had hoped its popularity, its experience in hosting sporting events and its level of preparation would be enough to sway the opinion of the Olympic Committee if it felt that real concerns about China's human rights record meant the 2008 games should not go to the favourites.

One member of the Paris Olympic Committee said the IOC had taken a huge gamble, and that he was afraid in the seven years leading up to the Beijing Games, the words "Olympics" and "boycott" would become increasingly heard in the same breath.