Spain's leaders back Madrid bid

The Madrid bid profiled

The Spanish government has given its "unequivocal support" for Madrid's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

It has pledged 833m euros (£576m) to the bid with half the total to be spent on improving security arrangements.

Deputy prime minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said the bid was a "state project enjoying wide support".

Madrid is one of five cities - along with London, New York, Paris and Moscow - bidding for the Games and the host will be chosen next July.

"The government has approved the guarantees and commitment to spend 833m euros on behalf of the state in order to support the Madrid candidature," the deputy PM said.

2012 TIMETABLE 15 Nov: deadline for bids 3-6 Feb 2005: Madrid inspection 16-19 Feb: London 21-24 Feb: New York 9-12 March: Paris 14-17 March: Moscow 6 July: host city selected

A sum of 299m euros (£207m) has been set aside for the construction of new sporting facilities.

The mayor of Madrid, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, welcomed his government's support.

"We feel that we have the complete support of the Spanish government for the bid for Games that would take place in Madrid but that would be shared by all of Spain," he said.

Barcelona, Alicante, Cordoba and Malaga are also set to act as venues for events if the bid is successful.