Lord Coe runs Games bid past the Cabinet

The leader of London's Olympic bid is to appeal directly to the Cabinet for the first time for support as the race to host the 2012 Games enters its last lap.

Sebastian Coe makes his presentation tomorrow with only weeks until the capital lodges its final submission to host the event.

His appeal comes as London's transport minister said the Government is fully committed to the bid after the success of Team GB in Athens. Tony McNulty said Lord Coe could expect strong political backing. He added: "There is growing confidence that the bid will be the best we could put together, though I don't doubt there could be some searching questions [from ministers] to stand that up." Double Olympian Lord Coe said the meeting was "very important". It comes amid a hectic period of lobbying, with an address to the TUC conference today and an appearance before the CBI in November.

Lord Coe said: "It's very important that London is seen as a city that has public and political support." The capital is thought to be lying behind Paris and Madrid, but ahead of New York and Moscow. The 125 members of the International Olympic Committee select the host city next July.

Lord Coe said he would remind ministers of the huge regeneration a successful bid would bring to east London and how it would encourage healthier lifestyles, helping tackle the national obesity problem. He joined Mr McNulty, Mayor Ken Livingstone and double gold rower James Cracknell to launch the first of 40 London buses clad in London 2012 regalia.