Who should host the 2012 Olympics?

London has unveiled its Olympic 2012 hosting plans at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

The city is one of nine vying to host the Games in 2012 ,with Paris being tipped as London's main rival by some bookmakers.

The glitzy Parisian campaign, The Games of all Colours, was launched at the Eiffel Tower last Friday.

Madrid has the backing of the world's biggest football club, Real Madrid.

The rebuilding process following the 11 September terrorist attacks is likely to give the New York bid an emotive appeal which could bring the Games to the Big Apple for the first time.

Moscow, Leipzig, Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro and Havana are also bidding in the battle for the Games.

What has London got to offer? Which city should be awarded the honour of hosting the 2012 Olympics? Will beach volleyball be in Horse Guards Parade, beneath the Eiffel Tower or somewhere else?

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This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

Your reaction:

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

I love New York. But we don't need the Olympics to prove to the world it's a great city. Good luck to all the cities.
Michael, Wisconsin, USA

I think it should definitely go to London. The UK has shown that we can host large events (remember Manchester?). The country is also small and well-enough connected that events that cannot be held inside London are easy to get to. And as for congestion, this will be a problem in any of the cities, not just London. British sport needs a boost. Go London!
Simon, Liverpool, UK

London has absolutely no chance! Our bid is run by amateurs and we lack commitment and funding! Why bother?! So typical of the UK!
James, London, UK

If money is invested in improving London's ailing transport system because of the Olympics, then maybe it's worth the two weeks of hassle? Brad, Sydney

Having lived in London, I can see why so many are against the bid. Transport and congestion are major issues. But if money is invested in improving London's ailing transport system because of the Olympics, then maybe it's worth the two weeks of hassle? Others cities have benefited - Sydney and Barcelona especially. But personally, I would like to see Rio get the games!
Brad, Sydney

Let Rio or Istanbul have the games. I adore my country, but we've already had the honour in 96 and 02; 9/11 should not be used to manipulate emotions. London, Paris, Moscow, and Leipzig are also fine candidates, but as many here have stated, I believe it is important to spotlight other regions of the world as well. Good luck to all the competitors!
Guy, USA

Do you think the Olympic athletes will be able to afford the London congestion charges for getting to and from their events? What about delays on the tube? Perhaps the Marathon runners could serve a dual role and pull a car along in order to decrease delays on the underground.
Todd, Oxford, USA ex-pat

I believe most cites listed would do a good job at the games, however, I believe that Russia has large potential to show the world some good games.
Steven, San Antonio, TX USA

Hosting the Olympics gives the world an opportunity to learn more about the host country. Does any one need to learn more about New York or London? Istanbul would be a great choice as would Havana.
Tom, Kalamazoo, Michigan

I think that the games should be held in New York because it would be a really big tribute to what happened on September 11, 2001.
Ezana, Los Angeles USA

The country that hosts the Olympics should be able to unite the world. The US have shown in the past few years that they certainly cannot do it, so anywhere except in the US.
Timmy, Netherlands

I believe that Moscow has all the chances of hosting the Olympics! It is a wonderful city which takes your breath away and it is considered a popular tourist destination with a wide range of various opportunities to offer, especially for those who set store by comfort, good music, divine Russian cuisine, hospitality and a special atmosphere of festivity. It is the best sporting venue the world can ever find!
Anna, Ufa, Russia

London has no chance of hosting the Olympics. Very few countries like the UK now, even more now hat the French. Rio will get the vote.
Neil Brown, Aberdeen, Scotland

I think every one of the current candidate cities is qualified Jorge, United States

Does it matter where the Olympics are held? As long as it brings the international community together (even for a short period of time), any place that is committed to ensuring the safety of the athletes is fine. And I think every one of the current candidate cities is qualified.
Jorge, United States

A developing country.
Jacob Matthan, Oulu, Finland

London has no chance of hosting the Olympics. I can see it already, the razzamataz of Rio will win by a mile. A large part of the Olympic Committee's policy is to promote sport and facilities along with an economic boost to countries that need it most. All Rio needs to do is prove it has the capability to host successfully. Rather, London should spend it's money on a campaign the rid the streets of drugs... the motive behind most crime.
Beat Monster, Sussex

I would like very much the Olympics were hosted in Madrid since I would meant a considerable improve in transport and facilities in general in the city, As it happened in Barcelona in 1992
Raquel, Madrid, Spain

Manchester Games are proof that the 2012 Olympics should be in London. If not, then New York.
Pebbles Smith, Oklahoma City, OK USA

It will be the best idea to host the 2012 Olympic in England.
Tewodros Mulugeta, Ethiopia

Moscow is a beautiful city and it would be an incredible venue for the games. So my vote would be for Moscow.
Ken, Vancouver, Canada

Istanbul or Havana. UK, US, Russia, Brazil and Germany are relatively common as tourist destinations. I think Istanbul and Cuba would definitely be a nice change from all of the other high-profile countries.
Firenza, Singapore

If it means that the Silverlink Metro at last gets improved and runs more often, then I'm right behind London's bid for the Olympics! After seeing the coverage of our bid announcement I think it will be a great thing for East London regeneration and it will be the catalyst for real improvements in London's public transport.
Pat Sheldon, London, UK

Bring on the Olympics John, England

When this debate opened I expected all the normal comments about how London and the south get everything and the rest of the country is neglected. What a very pleasant surprise to see most people are behind it. If this is a sign of what could happen then bring on the Olympics. As a country we can do the job. Just for once let's be proud to be British and get on with it, let the whingers continue their moaning and let's be positive.
John, England

Let it go anywhere else! Isn't it perverse that we are told there is not enough money in this country to educate the young, care for the elderly, or keep our own soldiers alive when they are at war, and yet, by some miracle there is money in the pot for this!!!
Damian Penfold, London

Opening ceremony in the Millennium Dome?
Alex, Leicester, UK

Can someone please explain why those of us UK citizens who live outside of London should be supportive of a London bid? This country is already more capital-centric than any other in Western Europe.
John Thompson, Chester, UK

We can host an efficient and distinguished Olympic Games in 2012 Peter Hannaway, London

Most of the high-density venues will be in a vast and new open area. Transport links around Stratford will meet local and international traffic. The Olympic athletes at today's launch remind us what self-belief achieves. No question we can host an efficient and distinguished Olympic Games in 2012.
Peter Hannaway, London

Let the games go back to, and stay with, Greece. The enormous and preposterous costs of this jamboree every so many years ought to stop. It becomes little more than a mixture of chauvinism and politics.
Jeremy, E. Mids

I've seen the New York bid in great detail and, on paper it is probably the strongest bid. However, having been in Paris during the time they hosted the 1998 World Cup, they do indeed know and have the experience to host an event of this scale.
AW, USA

I think Rio should get it. The next two Olympics will be in European cities, let's give South America a chance.
Aaron, Vancouver, Canada

Anything that promotes sport in the UK should be supported. I really hope that London is successful and that the UK shows that it can put on a marvellous sporting spectacle. Ignore the vocal moaning, self defeatist minority who are always prepared find fault with anything positive. Go London go.
Nick Jones, Leeds, UK

I really, honestly dread all this. I just can not understand what is interesting about sport. To me it's pretty obvious that someone can run faster, jump higher and throw things faster than someone else, so why is it important?
Andrew M, Walsall, UK

The Commonwealth Games were a warm up, the Olympics is where we show that we can pull out all the stops Rachel, London

The Commonwealth Games were a warm up, the Olympics is where we show that we can pull out all the stops, the Australians showed us all how to do it. But with Barbara Cassani at the helm, we stand the strongest chance we have had yet to host - let's pull out all the stops, stop the whinging and get behind a realistic chance. Lets rejuvenate, and celebrate what we have got, enhance it, build it and make sure it runs - go Team GB!
Rachel, London, UK

I would love to see London host the 2012 Olympic Games! Something for everyone to be proud of. One thing worries me though, how many overseas athletes would claim asylum upon arrival and disappear whilst in the UK only to reappear at our DSS offices?
Alison, Crawley, UK

London 2012 will be sensational Nigel, Manchester

London has my vote, I only hope that the bid is not dragged down by English fatalism "it'll only rain, think of the bother etc" Manchester was rather like this even until a few weeks before the Commonwealth Games began but the whole City was entranced by that scale of event, so my message to London and the UK as a whole is get on board with the bid - London 2012 will be sensational.
Nigel, Manchester, UK

The Olympic Games would be a very small price to pay for a massive re-generation of East London and the Thames Gateway. There are huge economic benefits to reap here that will outlast 2012 by years. After all, London was the only city prepared to host the Games in 1948 after the War. Let's now show Paris, New York and the like that we can compete with and beat them on level terms.
Lester, London, UK

I saw this on the news yesterday and it made me laugh. Beach volleyball in Horse Guards Parade? Make shift diving board at Trafalgar square? Where's the javelin? In the Queen's back garden. In fact, we could hold the curling on my frozen pond.
Grant, Teesside, UK

I often think that London really needs more tourists so the games are a really great idea. Also Ken Livingston rarely gets enough publicity so this will be great for raising his profile.
Tom Archer, UK

Istanbul. In these times of suspicion, war and distrust between the east and the west, which city could help bring the east and the west together in something that does not involve aggressive confrontation and has a great potential for peace and goodwill?
Ada, UK

I can just see it now - the athlete on course to win gold fails to turn up for their event John B, UK

I can just see it now - the athlete on course to win gold fails to turn up for their event. The reason - they were stuck on a failed train in a tunnel somewhere. Much as patriotism demands I support our bid, London's transport can't cope with the current demands. Throw in an Olympic village (where exactly?) and the talk of using stadiums dotted around the town and it's a recipe for disaster. I wish I could be more positive but the tragedy around London's bid is that as a resident of many years I cannot see any way it will work.
John B, UK

If New York wins the bid does it mean that only two countries (i.e. the US and UK) will take part in the 2012 Olympics - all other being banned as being members of the Axis of Evil? And will there be a new sport introduced - fastest fingerprinting?
Craig, Reading, UK

If it was held in London the athletes would be turning up late for their events because of the dreadful transport infrastructure. Then again, if it encourages our growing number of obese adults and kids off their backsides maybe its a good thing.
Paul, Maidstone, UK

Wow - if we win the bid imagine how much could be raised from the congestion charges of visitors alone!
Alison, Leeds, UK

There should be a caveat whereby British companies will benefit ensuring employment for those living here Kay, Bracknell

London is a cosmopolitan city and is filled with history but incorporating the new... Hosting the games would bring employment to the area and clean up areas of land that needs regenerating. However, my biggest fear is that if London were to win the Olympic bid, the only winners will be the European contractors who will win the bid to build the facilities, as happened with the Millennium Dome. There should be a caveat whereby British companies will benefit ensuring employment for those living here.
Kay, Bracknell, England

After Manchester held a superbly organised Commonwealth Games they should have been allowed to bid. The facilities are already there.
Mand, Nottingham

I'd vote for Rio. It's about time the Olympics went to a developing country and shared some of the cash around.
Nick McAteer, Manchester, UK

London has never been awarded the Olympic Games. It has twice hosted the games, but each time only as emergency last minute replacements for cities that had to withdraw. In a very real sense, it is the perfect Olympic city, having the most diverse population of any city in the world, with more languages spoken than in any other city in the world (and yes, that includes New York). This choice should be a no brainer.
Alastair, London, UK