There was jubilation in London after the International Olympic Committee announced that the British capital would host the 2012 Olympic games. London upset favored Paris and also beat out Madrid, Moscow and New York to earn the right to host the games.
Thousands danced in the streets to celebrate the announcement made from Singapore early Wednesday morning. Some Londoners sprayed champagne around Nelson's Column.
Prime Minister Tony Blair was thrilled by the decision. He thanked Lord Coe, the head of London's bid committee, calling the effort 'just awesome.'
From Gleneagles, where Blair is presently hosting the G8 summit, he told reporters, 'We have got a great chance now to develop sport in our country and to have a fantastic Olympic Games and then to leave a legacy for the future.'
Paris was the favorite to host these games and when it was announced that London had won, there was silence outside of City Hall in the French capital. This was Paris' third unsuccessful bid to host the Olympics since 1992. Paris has hosted two Olympic games, in 1908 and 1924.
New York was the only American city in the final running. It's entry was plagued by stadium difficulties. First, New York State refused to fund a proposed stadium on Manhattan's West Side that would have also served as a home for the NFL's New York Jets.
A new stadium was proposed in Flushing, Queens in the parking lot of the present home of the New York Mets, Shea Stadium. While that may still become a reality, the late change in New York's proposal was not helpful to its chances.
Britain's Prince William told the Associated Press, 'I'm looking forward to what I'm sure will be a fantastic Olympic Games.'
The world can only hope London will put on a jolly good show for the world's athletes.
