 Tony Blair is behind the London bid |
Prime Minister Tony Blair has promised his "whole-hearted and total support" for the London 2012 Olympic bid. The city unveiled its plans to stage the Games at a launch on Friday.
"We have a huge passion for sport in this country which puts us in a very strong position," said the Prime Minister.
"I hope we are given the chance to host the world's most important sporting event in the world's greatest capital city."
The Prime Minister added: "This bid has the support of everyone involved in British politics on all sides and I hope that will continue for the future.
"The Games promises a fantastic legacy which will live on for many years to come."
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell pointed out that the bid was not just a London bid but one from the whole of Great Britain. "I hope this bid will inspire, enthuse and fire the ambitions of people of all ages the length and breadth of the whole country."
Sydney gold medallist Jonathan Edwards, who is now retired, admitted he would love to have had the opportunity to win an Olympic medal in front of his home crowd.
"When I was in Sydney I saw the reaction that Cathy Freeman's win in the 400m gave to the Australian crowd and it was an amazing experience," he said.
Olympic boxing champion Audley Harrison said: "I think this is very important to the British people and we will get a lot of support.
"We need to make sure that we surpass Sydney. Great Britain is a great sporting nation and we can produce a great bid.
"I think that London is wanting this kind of event and that people from all over the country will come to support it. Politicians are now on board and we need to move forward."
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said London was the greatest world city, with more than 300 languages spoken.
"No other city in the world has the scale of diversity we have here. In a sense, therefore, London represents the Olympic ideal of destroying the barriers that divide us and bringing people together.
"Two hundred teams will come. They will find in this city a community from their home country to support them and to welcome them."
Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave believed that a very good case has been put forward with many benefits for the athletes.
"What I like is that every athlete will have a bed at the athletes village which hasn't been the case at the Games I have been involved in," he said.
British Olympic Association chairman Craig Reedie said winning the bid would be a huge boost for sport in the future.
"We would hope that the achievements of the Great Britain team in front of their home crowd in 2012 would enthuse another generation of athletes," he said.
"The Games will provide a legacy of facilities and would also help to produce a fitter and healthier nation."
MMIX
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London will be the envy of the planet if we host the Games because we will do a fantastic job 
