London wins 2012 Olympic bid

London will host the 2012 Olympic Games, after beating favourites Paris in a closely fought contest.

London triumphed over the French capital, polling just four more votes in the fourth and final round of voting.

Moscow, New York and Madrid were all eliminated in earlier rounds.

The announcement was made by the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge at the Raffles City Convention Centre in Singapore at 12:49 BST.

There were reportedly jubilant scenes in Trafalgar Square, where thousands of people had gathered to watch the result being announced on giant television screens.

Lord Coe, who had led London’s bid campaign was in Singapore to hear the results, joined by other high-profile sports stars, such as David Beckham, Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Bobby Charlton.

Prime Minister Tony Blair had been campaigning in Singapore for London’s bid earlier this week. However, he returned to the UK for the G8 summit, which begins in Gleneagles today.

Commenting on the result, Mr Blair said that hosting the Games would be “momentous and tremendous” for the capital. Speaking from the G8 summit, he said: “We have got a great chance now to develop sport in our country and to have a fantastic Olympic Games and then to leave a legacy for the future.”

The Prime Minister admitted that he was too nervous to watch the result on TV, saying that he “couldn’t bear to watch the actual process”. “I got the call from the switchboard. It’s not often in this job that you punch the air and do a little jig and embrace the person next to you. It’s a fantastic thing and I am absolutely thrilled.”

Commenting on London’s success in winning the 2012 Olympics, London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: “This is one of the best days London has ever had – and it is one of the proudest days for Britain and for British sport. We had the confidence to go for it and we have won the greatest prize in sport.”

The last time the Olympic Games were held in Britain was in 1948.

(KMcA/GB)