Beckhams back London bid

2005-07-04 15:09

Singapore - The London bid team for the 2012 Olympics brought out their not-so secret weapon on Monday in a final push for the Games, as football megastar David Beckham and his pop star wife Victoria flew into Singapore.

"We are backing the bid because we believe in it, obviously," said Beckham, dressed in a dark three-piece suit as he arrived at the British High Commission in Singapore for a cheerleading drinks reception.

Victoria, once of the Spice Girls, who was clad in an indigo scoop neck cocktail dress, said simply she was "very excited" at the prospect of London winning.

The Beckhams are among a host of big guns brought into Singapore by the London bid team ahead of Wednesday's vote by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on which city will host the 2012 Games.

Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie, have been frantically arm-twisting IOC delegates in an attempt to swing what is seen as a neck-and-neck race between London and Paris.

England captain Beckham hails from east London, the part of the British capital which would benefit most from the Games, and to which the government has already committed massive spending, win or lose.

"It is going to generate a lot of things for our country," Beckham said of the prospect of the Olympics taking place in London.

One more day of lobbying

"I believe it is the only place that it should be. It's going to inspire children, young children, give them the chance to see an Olympics in their own country," the Real Madrid midfielder told reporters.

"This is why I believe we should get it."

Blair was also attending the drinks reception for the London bid team on Monday evening, and had one more day of lobbying before he flies to Scotland to host the crucial Group of Eight (G8) leaders' summit.

He will be gone before London makes its final presentation to IOC members. In contrast, Beckham will take part in the event in a non-speaking support role.

Should London lose out to another bidding city, Madrid, Beckham would most likely face merciless ribbing from his Real team-mates, among them Spain striker Raul, who was also in Singapore to lobby on behalf of his own city.

"David Beckham and I really haven't spoken about this much," Raul said at a press conference.

"If we win, I would simply remind him that he now lives in Madrid. It's a city he likes very much. It has opened its doors to him - and they will remain open," he joked.

- AFP