London Olympic bid

The International Olympic Committee's evaluation commission have arrived in London on Tuesday to inspect the city's bid to host the Games in 2012.

Sports minister Richard Caborn was set to welcome the IOC team, whose four-day inspection begins on Wednesday.

London is competing against Paris, New York, Madrid and Moscow, and the evaluation report will help IOC members decide the winner in a vote on July 6.

Government Response: Department of Culture, Media and Sport

Tessa Jowell, culture secretary, said: "It is so important that people in the UK outside London realise this is a bid for the whole country, with very real benefits for us all – economic, social and sporting... the Olympics would be a huge opportunity for people in the Midlands, across England, and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

 

"There will be nothing wasted in these Games. Five swimming pools and four sports arenas will be relocated, some to