Paris 2012 chiefs, who have been keeping a low profile in an attempt to avoid accusations of arrogance which marred their last bid four years ago for the 2008 Beijing Games, were forced on the offensive today.
Bid leader Phillippe Baudillon claimed defiantly that the demonstrations would not affect the visit and that the bid had been working closely with the trade unions. He said: "They will be taking place far away from where the evaluation commission will be. They will not affect the visit."
Although last week's IOC visit to London has been viewed as a major triumph, it was disrupted by the furore over Mayor Ken Livingstone's "Nazi" jibe at an Evening Standard reporter.
The rumpus rumbled on today as London's outspoken mayor defied calls from the Prime Minister and the Jewish community and again refused to apologise for his remarks, made during a confrontation outside a party.
But the Livingstone row will look tiny compared to the impact of a national strike.
Paris have always been considered favourites since the campaign began in earnest two years ago, but London have been making huge strides in recent months.
New York have also made up ground with Madrid and Moscow looking increasingly like outsiders for the vote in Singapore.
