Coe launches London Olympic bid

Sebastian Coe today launched London’s proposals for the 2012 Olympics.

Coe, chairman of London 2012, adapted a famous John F Kennedy speech by calling on the public to support the bid.

He said: “Over the next eight months we have the opportunity to change people’s lives, we have the opportunity to change this city and to change the face of British sport forever.

“We shouldn’t ask what these Olympic Games can do for us, we should ask what they can do for our children.

“This opportunity will not come around again. It has to be grabbed and it has to be won.”

The city’s 600-page candidature file, which was submitted to the International Olympic Committee on Monday, was made public for the first time this morning.

The other cities bidding are Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow.

Bookmakers have Paris as 4-9 favourite with London 9-4, Madrid 9-1, New York 12/1 and Moscow 33/1.