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Celebrities flock to Singapore
05/07/2005 08:19 - (SA)
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| David Beckham and his wife, Victoria, in a car in Singapore on Monday. They will take part in the London 2012 bid presentation. (Vincent Thian, AP) |
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Singapore - The cream of the sports world and royalty resorted to star power on Tuesday in hopes of swaying votes in the race to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
With time running out on the last day before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) listens to the presentations of Paris, London, Madrid, Spain and Russia, the celebrity scene in Singapore was more reminiscent of Cannes than an IOC session.
Football greats David Beckham, representing London, and Raul Gonzales, representing Madrid, were among the latest to lend weight to their cities' quests, while boxing legend Muhammed Ali is supporting New York.
The other cities in the race are front-runner Paris and Moscow.
London "is the only place it should be," said Beckham, accompanied by his pop star wife Victoria.
Gonzales, his Real Madrid team-mate, said he was confident of the Spanish capital's chances and "hoping to celebrate Madrid's victory".
Glamour and glitter
IOC insiders said stars such as Beckham have brought glamour and glitter, but its questionable whether that will translate into votes during crunch time on Wednesday.
"There must be the support of the population, the authorities and the sportsmen, so if they bring in sports stars, fine," said IOC president Jacques Rogge.
"But I don't think that will be a differing factor", he added.
Madrid's deputy mayor Manual Cobo is still hoping the city's 11-member "luxury delegation" will help sway votes although pundits regard Paris as the favorite with London right behind.
The contingent, headed by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, also includes Queen Sofia.
Britain's Princess Anne, president of the British Olympic Association, will be on the podium during London's final presentation.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a triple Olympic gold medalist in the New York contingent, said being part of a "star-studded team" including Ali and Ian Thorpe is a "surreal experience."
Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg and renowned French director Luc Besson are premiering films that will be shown only during the crucial session on Wednesday.
Spielberg is behind a film supporting New York's bids and Besson's film plugs Paris.
Spain-based Viveon, known for its sports-related commercials, is behind Madrid's film while Moscow commissioned Art Pictures Group for its project.
- SAPA
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