Blair commits to Olympic mission

Blair will juggle the IOC vote with his G8 commitments

Prime Minister Tony Blair has boosted London's 2012 Olympic bid by revealing that he will travel to Singapore for the build-up to the final vote in July.

Blair made the commitment despite the fact the G8 summit of world leaders begins on 6 July, the day of the vote.

The move came as it was announced that England football captain David Beckham would be part of London's delegation.

"London's bid is important to me, the Government and our country," said the Prime Minister.

"I would be immensely proud to help bring the Games back to London for the first time in 64 years.

I'm delighted to play my part in what I hope will be a winning campaign for London David Beckham

"We have an excellent technical bid, we have a city and country that is passionate about sport and I know London would put on a spectacular Games if the IOC grants us the honour.

"If they do, I know we will not let them down."

London is vying with Paris, New York, Madrid and Moscow to stage the Games in 2012.

The decision will be taken in a vote of International Olympic Committee members, and Blair said on Wednesday that he believed London had the best technical bid.

He plans to lobby for London in Singapore but leave before the vote in order to get back in time to host the G8 summit at Gleneagles in Scotland.

Full story: Blair to lend backing

Blair's intention to make the Singapore trip was revealed by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell in a BBC Sport interview three months ago.

The addition of the Prime Minister and the nation's most high-profile sporting star gives London bid leader Lord Coe a strong team to take to Singapore.

Further bid ambassadors are likely to be announced in the coming weeks.

"This is a great news and shows the fantastic commitment of the Prime Minister to London's bid, particularly given his heavy schedule around the G8 at that time," said Coe.

Beckham appeared in London's promotional video

"With just six weeks to go until the IOC decision, we are now in a crucial phase of the bid and the Government's continuing support could not be clearer."

Beckham, who has already appeared in London 2012's promotional video, will stay in Singapore until after the vote.

"I come from the east end of London where the main Olympic Park will be, so I am really excited by the plans for the development of the area," he said.

"Winning the 2012 Games will be a huge boost for sport throughout the whole of the country, and that can only be good news.

"It would be great if the Games came to Britain, where people really love their sport. I am delighted to play my part in what I hope will be a winning campaign for London."

Coe added: "David is admired by young people around the world.

"He is a true inspiration to millions of fans and he is a wonderful ambassador for the London bid."