Clinton in last push for NY Olympics

US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton touched down in Singapore today hoping to boost New York’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

Following her arrival this morning, the former First Lady met International Olympic Committee (IOC) delegates over breakfast.

“If I can help in the last 48 hours, that is what I’m going to do,” Senator Clinton said.

“I’m presenting what I think is a great bid for a great city. A city we believe represents the best of the Olympic spirit.

“I am here as part of the New York City team. It is a team that is already strong.”

Tony Blair’s charm offensive in the Far East to help London’s bid began two days ago. French President Jacques Chirac will be part of Paris’s final presentation.

New York today found itself deflecting worries over its still unapproved Olympic stadium and fears that President George Bush’s absence from Singapore, particularly as other national leaders have made the journey, as a possible snub to the Olympic movement.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said: “Just the logistics of getting a President here for the presentation is difficult.

“They become the story and the stars instead of what we are here to do which is to explain what is going on.”

With less than two days to go before the deciding vote, New York still has not received IOC approval for its new Olympic stadium plans after a last-minute funding hitch blocked its original Manhattan site.

New York’s overhauled bid now includes plans to build a stadium in the borough of Queens – also to be used by the New York Mets baseball team.

Dan Doctoroff, founder of the New York City bid, said: “We are confident that will happen later today.

"This is a completely open race.

“We feel from the feedback that we have received from members of the IOC we have a great chance.

“It is going to be a very surprising time.”