Paris emerges a three-time loser

By Caroline Wyatt
BBC News, France

French people had been looking for something to cheer about

Paris is bitterly disappointed at this result, as is the rest of the nation.

The defeat is a huge blow at a time when France is in sore need of a boost.

The Olympic bid had the enthusiastic backing of the whole country.

At the hotel de ville, the Paris town hall, thousands had gathered to watch the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announcement on big screens.

A brass band was ready to play, and then came the word "London" to audible gasps of disbelief and dismay followed by loud booing.

Paris had been the favourite throughout but over the past few weeks some had feared that London might trump its bid with a final sprint to the finish line, and so it was.

France had so desperately wanted the Games - this was its third try after being beaten by Barcelona in 1992 and by Beijing for 2008.

This nation had wanted a project to unite it in times of high unemployment, when France feels it no longer knows its place in the world.

This decision will exacerbate that general sense of malaise, especially as the winner is Paris' greatest rival - London.

Chirac factor

President Jacques Chirac had wanted to arrive at the G8 summit a winner.

Instead he comes as a three-time loser whose nation was pipped to the post by a victorious Britain.

The IOC decision will undoubtedly increase rivalry between President Chirac and Tony Blair on a personal and political level.

Their opposing views on Europe and differing war positions have already created tensions between the two men which will not be helped by London's current winning streak.

Some in France blame President Chirac for not lobbying hard enough at the IOC, while others feel his disparaging remarks about Britain, and indeed Finland, may have harmed France's chances and cost vital votes.

Mr Chirac was already a deeply unpopular president - this latest defeat will confirm that status and make his last two years in office feel even more like the dying days of an ancien regime.