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Coe: Athens boosts London 2012 bid

Published 2 September 2004

London's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games has been boosted by the fantastic support displayed by British sports fans in Athens, according to bid leader Sebastian Coe.

As the triumphant athletes arrived home to a rapturous reception at Gatwick airport on Monday, Lord Coe also paid tribute to the thousands of supporters who offered vocal and visual backing to Team GB.

"Outside of the Greeks, there is no doubt Britain has supplied the most passionate and vocal fans in the entire Games," said the London 2012 Chairman.

"When the broadcasters are picking out supporters to give their pieces colour, it's the British fans and their Union Jacks who appear.

"I think the International Olympic Committee recognise that, which is why we leave Athens with our bid in very good shape."

Simon Clegg, Chef de Mission of Team GB at the Games, echoed Coe's sentiments.

"I'm very confident that over the last three weeks we have considerably helped London's chances of securing the 2012 Olympics," Clegg said.

"This is firstly because of the outstanding performance of the athletes on the team - that will be very important in influencing the individual constituency members of the IOC when they make their decision in Singapore next year.

"And secondly by the unprecedented level of support that we had from the British public - not only back at the UK but particularly at the venues.

"Every venue we went to was covered in Union Jacks and every time British athletes went onto the field of play a huge roar went up. That had a massive impact on our athletes.

"Those two issues will contribute substantially to London's chances of success."

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