Commonwealth chief backs bid

London's Olympic hopes have received another major boost after the Commonwealth secretary general threw his weight behind the bid.

Don McKinnon said the diversity of the capital made it the ideal setting for the 2012 Games. His endorsement comes days after former South African president Nelson Mandela said he wanted London to host the Olympics.

"I'm backing London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics and I've been active for some time on this matter," Mr McKinnon said.

"London is the only Commonwealth city bidding for 2012 and I'm passionately convinced - as many people are throughout our Commonwealth family - that there is no better candidate to hold these Olympic games.

"I truly believe that London would bring something unique to the Olympics and would deliver an impressive and inspiring event."

The 65-year-old New Zealander said Britain had already proved it

could host a major international sporting event following the success of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002.

"I saw the enthusiasm and energy this event generated and the undoubted capacity to plan and deliver such a complex series of events and, most importantly, to deliver a Games with both a proudly British and also distinctly global feel to them," he said.

"Of course I am not able to lobby directly for London - the rules don't allow me. But I can, and I have been, telling the Commonwealth family about this. And I'll continue to do so right to the finishing line."

Mr McKinnon will officially declare his backing for London's bid in a speech in Manchester on Sunday.

The city is competing against Paris, Madrid, Moscow and New York to host the Games.

Following Mr Mandela's backing, members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have put London neck and neck with Paris.

The 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner's endorsement came he met Britain's Minister for Sport, Richard Caborn, in Johannesburg and praised London for its diversity and ethnic mix.

He said: "I can think of no better place than London to hold an event that unites the world."

The winning city will be announced by the IOC in July.