Livingstone backs London bid

London's hopes of hosting the 2012 Olympic Games received a major boost today as Ken Livingstone threw his full support behind the capital's plans to bid.

Following a presentation by the British Olympic Association to the Mayor and key advisers this morning, Livingstone gave his strongest message of support yet, saying he would do everything in his power to bring the world's biggest sporting event here.

No final decision on a London bid, which could cost more than £2 billion, will be made until July at the very earliest when the International Olympic Committee decides the host city for 2008.

A report by the IOC's new evaluation commission, due out later today, was expected to rank Paris as their preferred choice, which would reduce the chances of the Games being awarded to another European city like London four years later.

In the event that a bid for the 2012 Olympics did not go ahead, however, Livingstone said the capital should still press ahead with plans to bring the Games to London, perhaps in 2016.

Mr Livingstone said: "Any mayor would be mad not to see the chances involved in bringing the Olympics to London.

"Very few cities have the opportunity, like Barcelona did 10 years ago, to take rundown areas and reconstruct them for an Olympic bid.

"Even if we don't go for 2012 then 2016 will still be there. I will do everything I can to persuade the Prime Minister that we can bid and all our long term strategies will start working to that effect.

"This can bring about a real revival and create one of the world's greatest cities."

With the BOA and Mayor fully behind the bid the final decision now rests with the Prime Minister.

However, although there are draft plans for an Olympic stadium and village at Stratford, the Wembley fiasco is affecting London's chances. "It has definitely hampered our reputation," said BOA chief Simon Clegg.