TV coverage of parade will boost London bid

London will use TV footage from yesterday's athletes' parade to convince Olympic leaders of Britain's enthusiasm for the Games just hours before next July's 2012 vote, it emerged today.

Standard Sport has learned that London 2012 officials will show the images of the Olympian team being cheered through central London as part of their final presentation to the International Olympic Committee before the vote in Singapore.

The thousands of British fans who travelled to the Athens Games in August made an impression on the IOC, who like to give the event to a country which can guarantee full stadia and fanatical supporters.

London 2012 chiefs feel yesterday's parade and celebration in Trafalgar Square, coupled with the pictures of thousands packing the Mall to watch last June's Olympic torch relay, will give them an edge over their rivals - Paris, Madrid, Moscow and New York.

All the cities will make a key presentation to the IOC on the day of the vote on 6 July. Tony Blair is expected to travel to Singapore with bid leader Seb Coe and his team for London's final push.

The details of the final presentations are usually kept secret but it is understood that London will show the 124 IOC members computer graphics of the capital's plans for the Games and a video of fans enjoying the parade, torch relay and the successful 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.