London beats Paris to 2012 Games
The 2012 Olympic Games will be held in London, the International Olympic Committee has announced. London won a two-way fight with Paris by 54 votes to 50 at the IOC meeting in Singapore, after bids from Moscow, New York and Madrid were eliminated. Paris had been favourites throughout the campaign but London's hopes were raised after an impressive presentation by Lord Coe, the bid chairman. Prime Minister Tony Blair called the win "a momentous day" for Britain. IOC president Jacques Rogge made the dramatic announcement at 1249 BST. It will be the first time the Olympics has been held in Britain since 1948. Coe said: "This is just the most fantastic opportunity to do everything we ever dreamed of in British sport." After the announcement, it emerged London was ahead in every round of voting except the second round when Madrid polled the most votes. News of London's victory delighted flag-waving supporters who had gathered in Trafalgar Square and Stratford in