Odds shorten on London bid

2005-07-04 20:12

London - Two days before the IOC decides who will host the 2012 Summer Games, bookmakers on Monday cut London's odds and lengthened those on favourite Paris.

British Bookmaker William Hill shortened the price on London from 7-2 to 9-4. Paris was 4-11. The French capital was 1-9 late last week.

Ladbrokes, another major British bookmaker, listed London at 3-1 on Monday. It listed Paris at 1-4, drifting from 2-9.

"Money suggests that the dominant lead of Paris is falling away by the hour. Punters are very keen to back London," Ladbrokes spokesperson Warren Lush said.

Hill listed Spanish capital Madrid at 10-1, followed by New York and Moscow, each 50-1.

Ladbrokes had Madrid at 12-1, New York at 20-1 and Moscow at 50-1.

- SAPA