Views from inside sport about a possible British bid to host the 2012 Olympics.

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Craig Reedie, chairman of the British Olympic Association
"It is a bid that I think we can win - nobody is guaranteeing that we will - but I think we can win.

"If the facilities and the will is there now then clearly we should go for it now."

Sir Steve Redgrave, Olympic champion
"We should go for it, all the aspects involved in hosting the Games are positive.

Redgrave believes the Games would be a boon for the nation

"The sporting legacy that will be left is immense, as will the feel good factor around the whole of the country."

Simon Clegg, chief executive of the British Olympic Association
(speaking on BBC Radio Five Live)

"If we don't grasp this chance then we will be denying a whole generation the opportunity of experiencing the magic of the Olympic Games first hand.

"I understand it is a big ask for the Government.

"But please don't tell me that we, the third or fourth largest economy in the world, are not up to staging this event."

Sebastian Coe, former Olympic champion "We have not covered ourselves in glory in terms of recent bids.

"Having said that, if a bid is done properly- with proper political support and using the right people - there is every chance of London being able to secure the Games."

Dwain Chambers, GB men's team captain

Chambers enthusiastically backs the Olympic bid

"If we bid, it shows that we want to progress.

"It is showing that we're not just good at football and rugby, we're good at track and field too.

"And track and field deserves the opportunity to have an Olympic Games.

"If you don't bet big you don't win big."

Matthew Pinsent, Olympic champion and IOC member
(speaking on BBC Radio Five Live)

"We've got some very serious problems, either mental or actual, as a city in London if we don't go for the Olympics - we're just admitting that we can't do it.

"That is something we'd never expect from our sportsmen and women.

"When we send them to the Olympic Games we expect them to be brave, put things on the line and do their best.

"If we don't bid we're doing none of these things as a city or a nation."

Katherine Merry, Olympic bronze medallist
"I got a general sense the government would like to bid for it and spend the money to go for it, but only if it's going to be a successful bid.

If we're going to go for it we should say so now Alan Pascoe Athletics promoter

"Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that, you have to spend loads and loads of money to get a successful bid.

"It all comes down to priorities and at the end of the day there are more important things than sport."

Alan Pascoe, British athletics promoter
"We'll be bidding against countries that won't just be looking at the cost.

"They'll be seeing it as a huge national and international statement for their country.

"That's what we should be considering.

"If we're going to go for it we should say so now, if we're not we should stop messing about."