Olympics: Mandela backs London's 2012 bid

LONDON - London's diverse and multi-cultural population would provide the ideal setting for the 2012 Olympic Games, anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela said today.

"There is no city like London. It is a wonderfully diverse and open city providing a home to hundreds of different nationalities from all over the world," the former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner said in a statement.

"I can't think of a better place than London to hold an event that unites the world."

London, Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow are bidding to host the 2012 Games. The decision will be made by the International Olympic Committee in Singapore on July 6.

"The Games in London will inspire athletes as well as young people around the world and ensure that the Olympic Games remain the dream for future generations," Mandela added.

"London would offer something very special to the Olympic movement, including great new sporting facilities and a legacy for generations to come."

The five cities have just 13 weeks of intense lobbying left until International Olympic Committee members will be asked to vote.

Paris are widely considered slight favourites ahead of London.

London bid leader Sebastian Coe welcomed Mandela's support.

"It is indeed a very special honour for London 2012 to have the support of Nelson Mandela, who is one of the world's most admired and inspirational figures," Coe said.

"Nelson Mandela understands the powerful role that sport can play in changing people's lives -- both on and off the sporting field.

"The London 2012 Olympic Games shares the same vision. The Games in London will help to build new bridges of understanding between cultures and nations and leave a legacy of much needed new sporting venues and facilities that will continue to change people's lives for generations to come."

British Sports Minister Richard Caborn, who campaigned against South Africa's white apartheid government in Britain while Mandela served 27 years in prison, told a news conference in Johannesburg that Mandela's support would boost the bid.

"We feel this has given our 2012 bid a significant boost from probably the most revered person in the world," he said.

London's status as the only Commonwealth city had also helped it get support from Mandela, he said.

- REUTERS