|
After Beijing, see you in London
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-07-07 06:04
But not even a personal appearance in Singapore by French President Jacques
Chirac could secure victory.
 |
| British Prime Minister Tony Blair reacts to the news that London
has won the right to host the 2012 Olympics, in Gleneagles, Scotland, July
6, 2005. Supporters of London's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games reacted
with joy and surprise to the capital's shock victory on Wednesday while
France struggled to comprehend how Paris had lost.
[Reuters] | "The heart of Paris and the heart of France are beating in unison in the hope
of becoming Olympic host in 2012," Chirac said during the city's final
presentation to the IOC. "You can put your trust and faith in France, you can
trust the French, you can trust us."
Blair, who spent two days of lobbying in Singapore before leaving to host the
G8 summit in Scotland, spoke in a video message - half of which was delivered in
French, one of the IOC's two official languages.
"My promise to you is we will be your very best partners," Blair said. "The
entire government are united behind this bid. ... It is the nation's bid."
London centred its bid on the massive urban renewal of a dilapidated area of
East London. It's the fourth bid from Britain after failed attempts by
Birmingham for the 1992 Olympics and Manchester for 1996 and 2000.
London got off to a slow start but made big strides under Sebastian Coe, a
two-time Olympic 1,500-meter gold medallist who replaced American businesswoman
Barbara Cassani as head of the bid in May 2004.
|
 | | | Special police detachment established in Xi'an | | |  | | | Panda cubs doing well in Wolong | | |  | | | Suspect arrested in Taiwan | | |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top China
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
