Becks joins Blair in pitch for Games

David Beckham is to fly to Singapore to support London's bid for the 2012 Olympics, it was announced today.

The England captain will make a two-day visit just before the International Olympic Committee announces the winning host city on 6 July.

Tony Blair and Mayor Ken Livingstone will also travel to Singapore - though the Prime Minister will have to leave to host the G8 summit in Gleneagles. Efforts to use Prince William have failed.

Beckham has been an enthusiastic supporter of the bid and starred in a promotional film shown to IOC inspectors in February. He grew up in Waltham Forest, one of the four east London boroughs at the heart of the bid.

He said: "Winning the 2012 Games will be a huge boost for sport throughout the country. It would be great if the Games came to Britain where people really love their sport."

London is up against Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow, and is believed to be running neck and neck with the French capital.