'We can pip Paris'

London's Olympic bid leaders were submitting their final plans for the 2012 Games today - and they believe they can win it.

As a critical new opinion poll shows 75 per cent of Britons back efforts to stage the Olympics, the 600-page bid document was being flown out to the Swiss headquarters of the International Olympic Committee.

The 2012 bid team, led by double Olympic gold medallist Sebastian Coe, are convinced they have closed the gap on front-runners Paris and have a strong enough plan to see off Madrid, New York and Moscow.

London was a poor third behind Paris and Madrid when the initial bids were assessed by the IOC in May. But the team believes it has addressed the most significant concerns over transport, and sees plans for a seven-minute "bullet train" shuttle from St Pancras to the proposed Olympic stadium in Stratford as its secret weapon.

Another key factor is the legacy for future generations. The ?3.6billion bid would regenerate east London, with half the athletes' village being turned into affordable homes for NHS workers and teachers.

Lord Coe said: "Our aim is to create real benefits to the community in which the Games are staged - better quality of life, better education and employment opportunities, better sports facilities and an improved physical environment.

" The legacy planning is already delivering real benefits for the communities of London with the early commencement of a new, world-class aquatic centre with two 50-metre pools and the approval of the East London Line extension."

The bid sets out exactly how the capital would stage the 30th Olympiad, outlining the venues, facilities for athletes and legacy that would be left behind.

It will be formally made public on Friday, but it is known that changes include moving shooting events from Bisley to Woolwich and creating an athletes' village within walking distance of the 80,000-seat main stadium, which will have a sculpted roof resembling the muscles of an athlete. World-famous venues, such as Wembley, Wimbledon and Lord's would also be used, as well as the Dome, Horse Guards Parade and the Royal Parks.

Bookies still regard Paris as the clear favourite, but the IOC is said to have been impressed by British support at the Athens games in the summer.

The IOC will select the winning host city in Singapore next July after visiting each in turn.

Public support for the Games is now high - a poll for BBC Radio 5 Live found 69 per cent of Londoners backed the bid, rising to 75 per cent across the UK.

Support is highest among the 25-34 age group, with 83 per cent in favour. Some 80 per cent of women also back the bid. But of those aged 65 and over, support is running at 69 per cent.