Spanish NOC President Implores Real, Atlético Fans To Showcase Olympic Candidacy

Just "48 hours from the anticipated Copa del Rey final, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid fans have found a refuge where they can shelve their historic rivalry and join hands and strengths," according to Tomás Roncero of AS. The Madrid 2020 Olympic bid has served to unite Real and Atlético fans. The joyful meeting took place at the bid's headquarters. Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) President Alejandro Blanco was the master of ceremonies in an act that "represented a successful announcement." Blanco: "The big bid for the candidacy of Madrid 2020 will be this Friday with the Copa final. Do not forget that 150 countries will see it on TV and that the image that we give will have a lot of influence on the future of our candidacy. The final will be a great showcase to the world, don't forget that those who will become legends to the players are you, the fans. Thanks for putting aside your rivalry and uniting your strengths for this cause" (AS, 5/15).