London wins 2012 Olympics

A jubilant David Beckham in Singapore
13 April 2012

London's dream of hosting the 2012 Olympic Games became a reality today.

The capital won a sensational victory against the odds when the final votes of International Olympic Committee delegates in Singapore were counted.

London beat Paris to the prize after months of determined campaigning which went right down to the wire.

The British and French capitals made it to the fourth and final round of voting after first Moscow, then New York and Madrid were eliminated in earlier rounds.

And London managed to attract enough support from delegates to beat firm favourite Paris in the run-off.

Joy erupted in Trafalgar Square and east London as sports fans heard the news.

Organisers of the two bids faced an agonising hour-long wait before the final decision was officially announced by IOC president Jacques Rogge.

The whole voting process took less than half an hour but Mr Rogge stuck to the official timetable, revealing the result shortly after 12.45pm UK time.

London's bid organisers surged ahead after a slick and forceful final presentation earlier today.

Bid leader Lord Coe promised a Games where "magic happens" if delegates hand the UK capital the Olympic torch.

Lord Coe, the London 2012 bid chairman and a double Olympic champion, said the capital was offering a "vision of inspiration and legacy" for future generations.

Tony Blair recorded a message for the presentation in which he highlighted South African President Nelson Mandela's support for the London bid.

The Princess Royal, speaking in her role as an IOC member and as a board member of London's bid, began London's crucial final presentation with a message of support from the Queen.

And it appeared to do the trick as London beat the bid from Paris - the third by the French capital in recent years.

The victory means that London will play host to the world's premier sporting event in seven years' time with a specially-built stadium and village rising from what is now an urban wasteland in the east of the city.

Mayor of London 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.

"When we began this bidding process very few people believed that we could win but London's renaissance has overcome all the obstacles.

"It has been a gruelling but great competition against five world cities who all put together excellent bids all truly worthy of the Olympic movement and ideals."

He added: "I would also like to thank everyone involved in the monumental effort they have put into creating London's world beating bid.

"Londoners themselves deserve thanks for the tremendous support they have shown for our bid. Without public support we could not have won.

"The IOC have given us an extraordinary opportunity which wee must now live up to.

"In 2012 we will repay this honour by staging the greatest Olympics and Paralympics ever and show the world what London and Britain can do."

Prince William, who is on a tour of New Zealand, said: "I'm absolutely delighted that London has won the 2012 bid and I'm looking forward to what I'm sure will be a fantastic Olympic Games."

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