William is bid 'weapon'

Prince William could be London's trump card to clinch the 2012 Olympics.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell today told the Evening Standard it would be "wonderful" if the sportsmad Prince took part in crucial talks with Olympics chiefs when they gather in Singapore this July to announce the winning city. It would be his first official engagement on the world stage after completing his finals at St Andrews University.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials will be touring London next week to view detailed plans for venues, upgraded transport links and top-notch competitor facilities.

But the final decision will be made in Singapore on 6 July after presentations by each city - London, Paris, Madrid, Moscow and New York - where the Prince's involvement is viewed as a potential secret weapon. Ms Jowell confirmed talks were under way over the make-up of the team. She said: "We have not yet finalised the list. All of that is a matter for negotiation.

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if Prince William joined the contingent for Singapore? He and Prince Harry are very keen on sport and took part in the Comic Relief run."

Prince William is said to be enthusiastic about the bid and attended a Buckingham Palace reception for the 2012 campaign in June, where he met London bid leader Sebastian Coe and Sir Steve Redgrave. Lord Coe is understood to have initiated talks with Clarence House about the Prince's possible involvement, but insiders say it is not yet in the bag.

William's aunt, Princess Anne, is one of the 123 IOC members who will choose the host city, although the rules stop her voting for London.

His participation would be welcomed by London bid backers dismayed by claims the Queen feared Paris would win. Ms Jowell made clear she did not believe the claim. "I cannot reconcile those alleged comments with the unqualified support the Queen has given. The Queen is 100 per cent behind the bid."

Speaking about the vital legacy a London Games would leave, Ms Jowell said she wanted to see children involved in the event as much as possible to help develop a new generation of stars. She also endorsed the Standard's ?1million Sport for Schools campaign to raise money for schools to buy sports

equipment. After reports that stadia used for last year's Athens Olympics are already falling into disuse, the minister pledged a London Games would ensure nothing was wasted. "If you do not plan for legacy, you are asking for high maintenance costs and white elephants. I saw in Sydney how some venues had been built to a huge Olympic scale simply not inviting for community use. Every one of our sites has been designed with future use in mind."

On the Treasury's plan to take 12p in tax for every ?1 Olympic Lottery ticket, Ms Jowell said: "We have not discussed withdrawing the duty. There is no reason why the Olympic Lottery should be different from others supporting good causes."

In a final rallying cry, she said: "We are in this to win. We love sport and we are proud of our city and we can host the best Olympic Games any city has done."