International Olympic Committee President
Jacques Rogge has announced that London will host the 2012 Olympic Games and
Paralympic Games.
The news was greeted
with huge cheers as thousands of people packed into Trafalgar Square to
watch the result live on giant video screens.
Heather Small
kick-started the party with a live performance of the bid anthem Proud,
backed by singers from London community choirs.
And a spectacular
flypast by the Red Arrows left a trail of red, white and blue above the
crowds in central London.
London 2012 Chairman
Sebastian Coe said: "This is just the most fantastic opportunity to do
everything we ever dreamed of in British sport.
"We have a chance over
seven years and way beyond that to change the face of British sport."
Mayor of London Ken
Livingstone added: "This is amazing. When we started out it was a mountain
to climb, but we've had an incredible few days here.
"What came over in our
presentation was giving kids the chance - it's not just about cities."
"We spent a lot of time
before formally submitting our bid preparing things and we will start work
on that tomorrow. We'll give the world the best Games they've ever seen.
And Culture Minister
Tessa Jowell, who will take up the post of Olympics Minister in the
Government, admitted: "I've been shaking for the past two hours.
"This is the biggest
prize sport can bestow and we won it for London and this is to unlock the
ambition of children. Sport will now be central to Government policy."