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London calls on Madiba magic
06/07/2005 11:02 - (SA)
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| Lord Sebastian Coe, chairperson of London 2012 and Amber Charles, London 2012 ambassador, speak during the London 2012 presentation in Singapore. ( David Longstreath, AP) |
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Singapore - London invoked Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, democracy icon Nelson Mandela and the Olympic dreams of young children around the world in its final pitch in Singapore on Wednesday to host the 2012 Games.
London's closing video presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ahead of the Wednesday evening vote started with footage depicting children in an African slum dreaming of becoming an Olympic champion in 2012.
The chairperson of London's bid, Sebastian Coe, also introduced 30 children aged between 12 and 18 from East London, where the Olympic Village and main stadia would be built, whom the campaign had brought to Singapore for the presentation.
"Why are these children taking the place of politicians and business people," Coe asked rhetorically.
"It is because we are serious about inspiring young people. Each of them come from East London who will be touched most directly from the Games."
Coe said the 30 children represented the "youth of the world".
"Their families have come from every continent. They practise every religion and every faith."
Anti-apartheid hero
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in a recorded address, said South African anti-apartheid hero Mandela backed London's bid partly because of the city's determination to use the Olympics to inspire young children worldwide.
"I can't think of a better place than London to hold an event that unites the world," Blair quoted Mandela as saying.
"London will inspire young people around the world and ensure that the Olympic Games remain the dream for future generations."
Culture Minister Tessa Jowell told the IOC delegates that, as part of the focus on children, the Olympic stadium would after the Games be transformed into an institute of sporting excellence to train young athletes from around the world.
Princess Anne
Princess Anne, an IOC member and the director of London's bid, opened the city's presentation by reading out an endorsement from the Queen.
"I have been impressed at the way everyone has united behind London's bid. As a country we share a passion for sports. And we also share a desire to welcome you to London in 2012," Anne quoted the Queen as saying.
London mayor Ken Livingstone emphasised the city's multicultural credentials.
"London is a city that welcomes the world with open arms but also with an open mind," adding that 300 languages were spoken in the city.
"The people who speak them live side by side happily."
London and Paris are regarded as the two front-runners in the race to host the 2012 Games, with New York, Moscow and Madrid outsiders.
All the candidate cities delivered hour-long closing presentations to the IOC members on Wednesday at the Raffles City Convention Centre in Singapore.
The IOC members are scheduled to vote between 7:30-8:00pm (11:30-12:00 GMT) on which city will host the 2012 Games.
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