YDB
06-07-2005, 02:18 PM
The Olympic games are to return to London for the first time in 64 years as it was announced that the UK capital is to host the 2012 event after emerging as the preferred city over Paris.
The result of the IOC's vote was annonced in Singapore after a lengthy final elimination procedure.
Voting began with five cities in the first round. Moscow was the first candidate eliminated followed a little later by New York and Madrid, leaving only the French and British capitals in the running.
The final voting was completed by 11.30am GMT, but the announcement was delayed until a special announcement ceremony was prepared by the IOC, leaving London and Paris on tenterhooks until the final result was announced a little after 12.48pm GMT.
Much credit was given to the former Olympic champion Sebastian Coe, who as chairman of London's bid made an impassioned plea to the IOC. His promotion of the city's image as a bold and forward-looking host was summed up as: "Choose London today and you send a clear message to the youth of the world – that the Olympic Games are for you."
After the decision was announced he expressed his pleasure for both himself and the rest of the bid team: "It’s just the most fantastic opportunity to do everything we ever dreamed of in British sport. This was the most splendid team performance."
London last hosted the games in 1948.
-scotsman.com
http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20050706/englandwins_28536.jpg
http://news.ft.com/cms/281c935a-4491-11d8-81c6-0820abe49a01.gif
The result of the IOC's vote was annonced in Singapore after a lengthy final elimination procedure.
Voting began with five cities in the first round. Moscow was the first candidate eliminated followed a little later by New York and Madrid, leaving only the French and British capitals in the running.
The final voting was completed by 11.30am GMT, but the announcement was delayed until a special announcement ceremony was prepared by the IOC, leaving London and Paris on tenterhooks until the final result was announced a little after 12.48pm GMT.
Much credit was given to the former Olympic champion Sebastian Coe, who as chairman of London's bid made an impassioned plea to the IOC. His promotion of the city's image as a bold and forward-looking host was summed up as: "Choose London today and you send a clear message to the youth of the world – that the Olympic Games are for you."
After the decision was announced he expressed his pleasure for both himself and the rest of the bid team: "It’s just the most fantastic opportunity to do everything we ever dreamed of in British sport. This was the most splendid team performance."
London last hosted the games in 1948.
-scotsman.com
http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20050706/englandwins_28536.jpg
http://news.ft.com/cms/281c935a-4491-11d8-81c6-0820abe49a01.gif