Who is Backing the Bid?

London is the bookies favourite to host the summer Olympics in 2012. The bid has the backing of many high profile political and sporting figures who would be thrilled to see the capital transformed into an international sporting venue.

Amir Khan

The Olympic Silver medallist and Britain's hottest young boxer is backing the bid, and he urges the public to do the same by texting 'back the Bid' to 82012.

Tanni Grey Thompson

The biggest hero of this year's paralympics is thrilled with the idea of a Paralympics in London. She was amazed by British support for Paralympic athletes and thinks they deserve to win the bid.

Paula Radcliffe

Paula lost out at Athens but she's right behind the London Bid. She's love to see some of her successors in Briatin's athletics team running the streets of London with the crowd behind them.

Ben Ainslie

Ben was a double Gold winner in the sailing and he'd love to see racing on the Thames.

Five time Olympic gold medalist, Steve Redgrave: "I am very pleased to hear the Prime Minister is giving the bid his support. I think London will make a tremendous venue and the bid would be very strong."

London Mayor, Ken Livingstone: “London has all the physical credentials to host the Games, but its most precious asset is its people. With over 300 languages spoken in our schools, every competing nation in the 2012 Games will come to London and find a group of supporters here as fervent as the fans at home. London is the place where the world comes together.”

Secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Tessa Jowell: “I believe we would host the greatest games on Earth. We have two years to prove to the world that we deserve to be given that chance.”

President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge: “I told him (Tony Blair) I thought London had very good potential. Britain invented modern sports, have political and economic stability and have very good athletes.”

BOA Chairman, Craig Readie: “London is an attractive place in a sports mad country. People like coming to London from all over the world an I think we can put together an attractive package.”

Camelot’s Chairman, Michael Grade, suggested Prince William as the ideal ambassador for the British Olympic bid: “I think he would be a figure who people are happy to meet. It is a non-political opportunity and it would be a brilliant start for him in public life.”

Tony Blair has now pledged the funds to make our Olympic dream a reality. He and Chancellor Gordon Brown are fully behind the bid.

London's 2012 bid has the full backing of England's Football, Cricket and Rugby teams, who have been representing us all over the world for years and would relish a games on their own doorstep.