COPENHAGEN, Denmark (Reuters) – Spain’s “golden era” of sporting success will help swing the 2016 Olympic vote Madrid’s way, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said yesterday.

Zapatero spent much of yesterday morning in meetings with IOC members, who will decide today between Madrid, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.

The prime minister pointed to Spain’s recent victories at the soccer and basketball European Championships, the Tour de France and their Davis Cup tennis win as evidence of the country’s enthusiasm and commitment to sport.

“Spain is going through a golden era in sport,” Zapatero said at a news conference. “We are also a country that is true to the Olympic spirit and values.

“We have a very good bid. We are a very reliable country. We have organised big international events, not just the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona but a great many international events and the IOC knows that.”

Bookmakers put Chicago as the favourites, with U.S. President Barack Obama due to address the IOC on the city’s behalf today, but Zapatero said the complicated process, which is likely to go to three rounds of voting, could produce a surprise.

“It’s very hard to make predictions about who will be in the final round of voting because of the voting system,” he said. “I believe the presentations today will make a big difference.”

Speaking of his personal sporting heroes, Zapatero cited Fermin Cacho’s success in the 1992 Games.

“Fermin Cacho in the 1500 metres always inspired me,” he said. “The image of him winning the gold medal in Barcelona is something that is always there.”