Inspectors end London venues tour

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The team inspecting London's 2012 Olympics bid has completed its tour of the city's sporting landmarks on day two of the visit to the city.

The 16-strong team began the day by driving through the tunnel that will link Kings Cross and Stratford when the Channel Tunnel rail link is complete.

The inspectors then visited the main site in Stratford that will host the Olympic Stadium and aquatic centre.

They also saw other venues, including Wimbledon, Lord's and the new Wembley.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) team was driven through the £5bn rail tunnel in black 4x4 vehicles, a journey that - when the work is completed - should take seven minutes by train.

Afterwards, the delegates arriving by coach at Stratford were met by the likes of bid chairman Lord Coe and ambassadors Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent.

It's been a very successful day Sports Minister Richard Caborn

"The presentations have gone extremely well so far and the evaluation committee seem to be taking the message on board," Redgrave told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I think they'll leave with even stronger views that London is a fantastic city and can host the Games."

With the area still something of a building site, the inspectors were shown a model of the planned finished article as well as being guided around the development.

After the morning visit, the IOC team split into three groups for the tour of the venues that the London bid team hopes will host the sporting action in 2012.

Some of the delegates visited the famous Wembley stadium, currently being reconstructed to open in 2006, where bid ambassadors including England football legend Sir Bobby Charlton were on hand.

"It's a very difficult job that they have," Charlton told BBC News 24.

"They have to be moving all the time. We had a lunch today that lasted five minutes - that's the pace they've set themselves."

Profiles: Who are the inspectors?

Meanwhile, other inspectors visited the Millennium Dome alongside London mayor Ken Livingstone and took in a game of basketball.

At Wimbledon - which would, of course, hold the tennis - ball-boys and girls formed a guard of honour for members of the IOC team on their arrival at SW19.

Among the numerous other venues visited was Horse Guards Parade, the traditional home of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, which has been earmarked to host the beach volleyball event.

Bid ambassador Cherie Blair and Sports Minister Richard Carborn were in central London to welcome the inspectors.

"It's the end of what has been a very successful day," Caborn told BBC News 24.

"We've been able to answer all their searching questions in detail. Hopefully, we will have made a very big impression on them."

'Home Stay' initiative

Thursday's itinerary also included time for the IOC team to receive presentations on the environment and accommodation.

They were told about the proposed 'Home Stay' programme, in which thousands of people would have the chance to offer free accommodation to families of Olympic athletes if London hosts the Games.

Simon Clegg, British Olympic Association chief executive, said: "This worked very well in Sydney and proved to be very popular.

"We will try and match up people's cultural and sporting interests and language skills to offer a unique cultural experience for athletes families visiting London."

London 2012 communications director Mike Lee added: "Because of the nature of the communities here, every national Olympic committee will have its own community here."

LONDON VENUES Main Olympic Park around Stratford, east London Athletes' village on same site Other venues include: Lord's (archery) Wimbledon (tennis) Hyde Park (triathlon) Regent's Park (baseball) Wembley (football) Millennium Dome (gymnastics) Horse Guards Parade (beach volleyball) In-depth guide

However, the IOC delegation could still ask to depart from the carefully-rehearsed route prepared for them by the London bid team.

On day one, Coe emphasised the compact nature of London's bid with promises that 80% of Olympic athletes and 98% of Paralympians will have less than a 20-minute journey from accommodation to venue.

Several of the venues will be designed so they can be relocated to other parts of the UK after the Games.

"The revolutionary design of several of London's purpose-built Olympic venues will enable them to be relocated to anywhere in Britain following the Games," said Coe.

"It will ensure the whole of the UK shares in the Olympic experience and benefits from its legacy."

Inspection - day one: Coe's promise