IOC meet Charlton at Wembley

Sir Bobby Charlton was due to make a high-profile entrance into London's campaign for the 2012 Olympics at Wembley Stadium today.

Charlton, who learned many sobering lessons about campaigning as the head of England's failed bid for the 2006 World Cup, was scheduled to show Olympic inspectors around the redevelopment of the stadium where he enjoyed his finest hour as a player.

Standard Sport has learned that the 1966 World Cup winner and former Manchester United great is also to be named as an ambassador for London's bid.

Charlton will be familiar to many of the middle-aged figures on the International Olympic Committee's evaluation commission, who were touring London's main venues today.

Record-breaking Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave was guiding the commissioners on the trip, aided by sports stars such as double Athens eventing medallist Pippa Funnell at Greenwich Park and Matthew Pinsent at Eton. Wembley, with its dramatic arch and plans for modern facilities, was a key part of the tour, however.

Despite all the controversies surrounding Wembley's renovation, it should show London can deliver a state-of-the-art Olympic Stadium at Stratford in east London.