Fears hanging over 2012 bid

There are, however, five nightmare scenarios which could sink the bid.

TERRORIST ATTACK . . .

This is very much in the minds of London officials after a car bomb exploded in Madrid last Wednesday just three days after the evaluation commission concluded its first visit. The bomb exploded near one of the Spanish capital's proposed venues and was blamed on the Basque separatist group ETA. It injured 43 people.

Britain has a good reputation on security, and anti-terrorism experts from this country were involved in helping make sure last summer's Athens Olympics went smoothly. Police, security and military chiefs will tell the commission they are confident they can deliver a safe Games. Security will be stepped up in the capital next week.

ANTI-BID DEMOS . . .

A "Say No to the London Olympics" group is gearing up for action this week. The odd protest won't sink the bid since demonstrations have affected most bidding cities and organising committees in recent years. Human rights groups held several demos against China before Beijing got the Games.

But London is desperate to show there is no major opposition to the bid and that there is widespread support among the public.

Too many protests are dangerous. Berlin's bid for the 2000 Games was effectively destroyed by a series of protests when the IOC came to town. IOC members woke up to a huge banner against the bid on the building opposite their hotel and demonstrators rode around on bikes in a mass protest. It is worrying for London that a protest on bikes and skateboards is also planned at the GLA on Friday night.

DIPLOMATIC BLUNDERS . . .

Ken Livingstone, so far a successful campaigner for the bid, is not warming up well for the visit with last week's outburst when he compared a Jewish reporter to a German war criminal. It's time for diplomacy and a badly chosen phrase can destroy the mood of the visit.

The Queen should avoid repeating her alleged recent comment at a reception about Paris beating London because they have more public support. And this is also not the moment for flirting with any of the commission members after a few drinks at the Buckingham Palace reception. The most notorious faux pax came during Toronto's bid for the 2008 Games. Mayor Mel Lastman, preparing for a visit to Africa, said he feared being put in a vat of boiling water while natives danced around him. Toronto, which had an impressive bid, said goodbye to many African votes and was well beaten by Beijing.

FOOD POISONING . . .

A dose of food poisoning or bad food at a dinner involving the commission and 13 ill people being driven to venues around London will not enhance the capital's image, especially with the inspectors heading to the culinary delights of rivals Paris next month. The Hyde Park Hotel must deliver brilliant service and leave the members with good memories of British hospitality.

London 2012 chiefs have already put plans in place in case a member of the commission needs emergency hospital treatment during the trip. They will be hoping, however, that nobody has to go anywhere near a casualty department on Saturday night.

TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE . . .

The inspectors will have to travel on the London Underground and sample at least the Jubilee Line. There is plenty of scope for transport mayhem from the moment they step off their planes at Heathrow.

Transport is a thorny issue for London and the last thing bid chiefs want is a confirmation of the perception that it could be a serious problem.

Getting the commission members stuck in a traffic jam will not help. It's half-term for the schools, which is a major boost with fewer people on the move. But if the commission are left with the impression that getting around the city really is a nightmare, London's bid will be severely damaged.