London 2012 bids for public support

Monday, 20 December 2004 12:00 AM

Babies born today will be offered the chance to be involved in London's bid for the Olympics as part of 2012 day.

Bid organisers have designated the 20th day of the 12th month of the year as a day to focus the public's attention on the attempt to earn the right to host the Olympics in eight years' time.

And as part of that, bosses have pledged that every child born today will have the chance to take part in official ceremonies or cultural events should their family so wish.

About 1,800 newborn babies are expected to arrive on 2012 day, which has been billed as such in order to increase support for the capital's bid for the Games.

"To mark 2012 day we wanted to do something special which benefits the whole country and provides a legacy which spreads to every corner of Britain," bid chairman Sebastian Coe said.

"We are all looking to the future with great anticipation and the most important part of the future is our children.

"Hosting the Games is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us all and this can make it extra special for the children and families who get involved."

In addition to the 'Children's Promise', organisers of the bid have arranged for a special skating day to occur at London's Somerset House, aimed at providing 600 people of all ages the opportunity to try ice-skating.

A 'Back the Bid' message will also be projected on to the BT tower, while a flag urging people to show their support for the bid will be paraded in front of the crowd at the Charlton v Fulham Premiership match tonight.

Bid bosses want more than a million people to show their support in order to impress International Olympic Committee officials ahead of next year's decision about the Games' host city.

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