Chirac congratulates Britain on Olympic win

French president Jacques Chirac claimed he would offer his personal congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II and Tony Blair after London pipped Paris in the race to stage the 2012 Olympics.

President Chirac, speaking to journalists after arriving at Prestwick Airport for the Gleneagles summit, had learned while airborne that his pitch for Paris in Singapore earlier Wednesday had been unsuccessful.

The head of state told reporters: “Like all Frenchwomen and Frenchmen I am naturally disappointed at the committee’s judgement.

“Nonetheless I of course congratulate London and the London authorities and I will soon have the chance to offer my warm and personal congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen and prime minister Tony Blair.”

The President also had words of consolation for Paris and the French capital’s Mayor Bertrand Delanoe.

He said: “They did an excellent job and should be congratulated for their efforts.”

The President was due to dine with his fellow G8 leaders in a dinner hosted by the Queen this evening.