(Photo: Kathy Willens/AP)

Paris
(1-4)
Runner-up to Beijing In 2008; can only fail this time if other European cities gang up on the French.

London
(4-1)
Rumors of dissension among organizers suggest it’s not in prime position to overtake Paris.

Madrid
(10-1)
Hopes rest on big boys’ canceling each other out, but will last week’s bombing scare away crucial votes?

New York
(14-1)
If it can survive the early voting rounds, splitting the Euro-votes could lead to a showdown with Paris.

Moscow
(33-1)
Barely made it as a finalist and has now all but killed its chances by announcing interest in the 2016 Games.

See also
A Come-From-Behind Plan to Land the Olympics
Inside the hidden game to get the Games.

Previously
Olympic City, N.Y.
Playing Robert Moses, building an archipelago of glittering facilities, and reimagining the city are, for many, the best Olympic sports.

Related:

• Archive: “Features”
• Table of Contents: Feb 21, 2005 issue of New York | Subscribe!