Blair seeks Olympic "prize"

Sunday, 16 January 2005 12:00 AM

Hosting the Olympic Games in 2012 could bring the UK "unparalleled" social and economic benefits, the Prime Minister has said.

In a letter of support for London's Olympic bid, Tony Blair stressed that the event was a "prize worth fighting for".

"I am determined to do all I can to bring those games to the United Kingdom," said Mr Blair in the letter, which will be distributed to around 300 delegates at a London conference to discuss the bid on Monday.

Emphasising that the International Olympic Committee would make a final decision on the venue for the 2012 games in less than six months, the Prime Minister said the economic benefits of hosting the international event were clear.

"An Olympic Games hosted in London would create significant opportunities for companies up and down the UK in sectors as diverse as construction, tourism, merchandise, catering, design and IT."

"We would be welcoming the world to this country during an Olympic Games," he added.

The Prime Minister said that hosting the Olympics would provide work opportunities and training for thousands of people as part of the creation of a "huge volunteer movement" to support the games.

"Having carefully examined the hosting experience of other countries, this Government believes a London Olympics is a prize worth fighting for," Mr Blair concluded.

Chairman of London's 2012 bid, Sebastian Coe and Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, will be among the speakers at Monday's conference in London's QE2 centre.

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