Samaranch is given the true taste of Manchester: Mike Rowbottom on the visit of the International Olympic Committee president to view a British city's work in progress

INTO every bid a little rain must fall. The heavens opened in Manchester just as the president of the International Olympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch, had been shown the work in progress on the velodrome by officials working towards bringing the 2000 Games to the city. A helicopter was standing by to take him on to Haydock Park, where he heard a presentation on behalf of the equestrian facilities.

It was a long, hard day for the president, who will endure more lobbying from the Prime Minister at Downing Street today. The day after the IOC Commission's report on the technical suitability of the six bidding cities had shown Sydney to be way ahead of the rest, the president refused to be drawn on whether the IOC members would have a difficult task in choosing the successful city on 23 September. 'The report is only an indication for the IOC members,' he said.

He did say he was impressed by the professionalism of the Manchester bid. The most influential factor, he felt, was to compare the state of preparations this time round with how they appeared when he visited three years ago as Manchester bid for the 1996 Games.

'There has been a lot of improvement,' he said. 'Many things which were in plans are now under construction. That is important. It shows the confidence the people of Manchester have in the Games.'

Three years ago, the indoor arena, the cycling centre, terminal two at the airport and the Metrolink were all promises. Now they have been delivered, or are in the process of delivery. The velodrome is due for completion next year, the indoor arena in 1995.

The chief executive of Metrolink, Chelvin Hibbert, demonstrated the attitude the bid team were keen to foster as he drove the president across the city on the link from Victoria Station to the G-Mex complex. He gained his licence last week.

Inevitably, Samaranch was asked if the rain would have a dampening effect on the city's chances. 'We are used to rain. When I am travelling and I find rain in a country, I think always it is a lucky country.'

Britain will have to be a very lucky country, and Manchester a very lucky city, if Sydney's perceived lead is to be cut down in the next 10 weeks.

One last despairing question came up yesterday, when Samaranch was asked if it was true that his son had studied in Manchester. 'No,' he replied. 'My son studied in the United States.' There went another potential emotional lever.

(Photograph omitted)