LONDON, 3 July 2005 — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II yesterday 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 favorite, 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 UK 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 organizers 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.”

Hillary Clinton Boosts Big Apple’s Olympic Bid

In Singapore, New York is counting on Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to boost its chances of hosting the 2012 Olympic Games by naming the former first lady a leader of its delegation, said NYC2012, the group that has organized New York’s bid.

Observers in Singapore where the IOC session starts next week had been wondering whether Mayor Michael Bloomberg could make a significant enough impression when up against the likes of Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair, French President Jacques Chirac, Spain’s Queen Sophia and a deluge of royalty.

Clinton said she was honored to accept Bloomberg’s invitation to join the delegation and help present “the city’s magnificent plan” to the IOC.

“The Olympics have long held a special place in my heart, and I have seen the power of the Games first-hand” she said in a statement released yesterday. “The spirit of international camaraderie and partnership exemplified by the Olympics thrives everyday in New York City.”

New York is competing against Paris, London, Madrid and Moscow. Paris is considered the favorite; New York is regarded as a long shot.

“The Olympic Games is the greatest global celebration of humanity, competition and friendship,” Bloomberg said Friday in New York. “As a well-known and respected figure around the world, Senator Clinton will help deliver our message that New York can bring the world together in unique ways.”

Clinton will join Bloomberg and other city officials who will make a 45-minute pitch to the members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday, The New York Times said at its website Friday.

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, gold medal-winning gymnast Nadia Comaneci and 40 Olympians and Paralympians are also included in the delegation.

Security Takes Grip on Singapore

A massive security operation was winched into place yesterday as Singapore braced itself for an influx of world leaders, statesmen and celebrities ahead of next week’s vote for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Roads were sealed off, helicopters hovered overhead and hundreds of armed guards and policemen were deployed around the Raffles hotel and nearby Raffles City Convention Center where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will vote for the 2012 host on Wednesday.

The race for 2012 is the most heavyweight in Olympic history, taking in London, Madrid, Moscow, New York and Paris.

Nothing is being left to chance by the Singapore hosts of the IOC session where the vote will be staged.

Road blocks have sprung up overnight, armed guards deployed and entrances to hotels and conference centers blocked by metal detectors, sniffer dogs and security guards, searching every delegate.

In addition to leading politicians and world statesmen, each of the five cities is bringing celebrity “ambassadors” to endorse their bids.

The result of the host city vote will depend on around 115 or so IOC members who will vote in what will be a complex affair, riddled with motives and interests.

Once the voting begins on Wednesday — after presentations by each of the five cities incorporating the celebrities and politicians — one city will drop out each round until a candidate polls an overall majority of members’ votes.