Toronto may look like a young thrusting North American city, packed with gleaming skyscrapers and huge shopping malls.

Supporters however are quick to point out that this is Canada, and Canadians are different to Americans.

There are similarities to the promotion of the 1996 Atlanta Games but they differ in style and in substance with a bidding organisation packed with enthusiasm and lawyers.

I didn't know what to expect when I landed at the airport, but like the IOC's Evaluation Commission, I was bowled over by the concept of the Toronto Games.

The city is the fifth largest in North America, yet here was undeveloped land earmarked for the bulk of the venues, within sight and walking distance of the city centre.

I checked and it took 10 minutes, as promised, to drive from the western end to the eastern tip.

Even the rowers, usually despatched to a site far from centre of action, would be able to mingle with the rest.

Within the city, the Toronto SkyDome squats at the base of the CN Tower ready to receive the athletes.

Where else could this happen? This is Sydney's Homebush Bay in the heart of the city.

The Evaluation Commission failed to find any loopholes in the Toronto strategy, and had to rely on vague wording about the challenge of the private and public sector combining to deliver the waterfront scheme.

Party postponed

Selling Toronto, however is another matter. The head of the bid, John Bitove has been tireless, cycling the globe several times in an attempt to get the message across to anyone prepared to listen.

Sometimes the Bid Committee has overstepped the mark.

When the IOC announced the results of the report by the Evaluation Commission, Toronto advertised a party across Lausanne.

The IOC was not amused by this breach of its hastily written rules, and the party was called off.

There is little doubt that Toronto could stage an excellent Games. Canada's top athletes are ranged behind the bid, having had an input into the concept, while the volunteers are lining up ready for work.

Montreal, which staged the Games in 1976 and is still paying for the honour, wasn't mentioned once.

The Toronto bid | Clickable cities guide