British Queen sends message of support for Olympics

Jul 2, 2005, 12:54 GMT

London - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II Saturday lent her support to London's bid to staging the 2012 Olympic Games as fierce lobbying entered its tense final days.

Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie are due to fly out to Singapore to try to win over members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ahead of next Wednesday's decision.

Although Paris is considered the favourite, London believes it is in a neck-and-neck race with the French capital to stage the Games.

In a message, the Queen said: "I have been impressed to see how people have united behind the bid to bring the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games to the U.K. in 2012."

"As a nation we share a great passion for sport and a desire to see a greater participation in sport, especially amongst younger people", said the message to the organisers of the London bid.

The last London Olympics, in 1948, were opened by her father, King George VI.

Blair is being joined by Britain's best-known sportsman, England football captain David Beckham, to lobby the IOC members in Singapore.

Blair's official spokesman said: "We still believe there is all to play for. We are going flat-out in Singapore for the final shot at putting our case."