London gets Olympics

Last Updated : 06-Jul-2005 by


There were five cities in the final reckoning and it was no surprise to see Moscow, New York and then Madrid fall out of the running to leave it between Paris and London. The French capital had been considered favourite throughout and was the name expected to be announced by the IOC President Jacques Rogge in Singapore.

But it was London, and England, who won the day with a bid led by former 1500 metre Olympic winner Sebastian Coe and it was their final presentation this morning that won the day.

Congratulations to all of those involved with the bid and bringing it to this country for the first time since 1948 and the first post-war Olympic Games. It is something that the country as a whole, and sport in particular, can benefit from.

Coe said, “This is just the most fantastic opportunity to do everything we have dreamed of in British sport.”