LONDON - British Prime Minister Tony Blair confirmed on Wednesday that he will travel to Singapore in July to support London's bid to stage the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
The International Olympic Committee is to vote on July 6 to decide which city out of London, Madrid, Moscow, New York and Paris will host the Games.
The prime minister became the second high profile Briton on Wednesday to reveal he would be there supporting the bid, after England football captain David Beckham said he would be travelling out to put his weight behind their candidacy.
The prime minister said: "I intend to go to Singapore in July for the build-up to the IOC decision on the location for the 2012 Games.
"London's bid is important to me, the Government and to our country and I would be immensely proud to help bring the Games back to London for the first time in 64 years.
"We have an excellent technical bid, we have a city and country that is passionate about sport and I know London would put on a spectacular Games if the IOC grants us the honour.
"If they do, I know we will not let them down."
Sebastian Coe, London 2012 Chairman, welcomed the prime minister's decision.
"This is a great news and shows the fantastic commitment of the Prime Minister to London's bid, particularly given his heavy schedule at that time.
"With just six weeks to go until the IOC decision, we are now in a crucial phase of the bid and the Government's continuing support could not be clearer."
As part of his on-going involvement in London's 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid, the prime minister met on Wednesday with Coe; Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; and London's Mayor Ken Livingstone at Downing Street.
A range of issues were discussed including preparations for London's presentation to the IOC on July 6, transition arrangements immediately after July 6 in the event of London being awarded the 2012 Games, the establishment of the Olympic Delivery Agency (ODA) and the Olympic Bill which was announced in the Queen's Speech to Parliament last week.
The prime minister was also shown a detailed model of London's proposed Olympic Park where key venues (including Olympic Village, main Olympic stadium, aquatics centre, hockey centre, four indoor arenas, velopark and media centres) will be located.
Beckham had said earlier that he was especially excited at the thought of London winning the bid for nostalgic reasons.
"I am honoured to have been asked to go Singapore for what will be an historic vote," said Beckham.
"I come from the east end of London where the main Olympic Park will be so I am really excited by the plans for the development of the area," added Beckham.
05/25/2005 16:24 GMT