And the winner of the Olympic bid is..........................................

[MarsLady]

LONDON

agree flashing nose

"The UK will get fantastic facilities open to everyone" hmmmm... File me under "sceptical"

Wonder if the uk hadn't won the bid what all the money would have been used for?

this is the best possible thing for sport in this country. i think it will do the economy loads of good. there are so many amazing things about hosting a games...this country will never be the same again.

we're all benefit from the income generated from all the visitors coming in and after all London is our capital city (not just a regional centre) - for us to visit, sightsee in etc. Who doesn't want to see London tube/train links improve?? I'm so please that the;yre going to have to make these improvements now, not merely consult on them. About time London's 3rd world transport system improved IMO!

I'm with Milward. I think there are far more important things the money could of been used for.

If me or my kids benefit in any way shape or form then i'll eat my hat but I sincerely doubt that they will.

Hear hear flashingnose....

I think it will be fantastic for UK as a whole and so wonderful for our children.

I am not happy France didn't get it, but am glad that Chirac may be regretting his comments now...I think the way Tony Blair handled the insults were excellent!

So presumably if your ds/dd is talented enough to be an Olympic competitor in 2012, you won't be going to watch?

exactly beatie, nothing against the french as a whole and the ppl there, just that one bloke he makes me so with his comments and views on the brits - and lets face it it's not often the brits are really smug about something is it?

The funding is quite complex, but I think that one of the largest contributers will be the Lottery. There was talk of increased council tax for London because of so many infrastructure improvements.

Don't countries usually make a financial loss on the Olympics?

taxes will go up won't they?

Look forward to the coverage of the G8 when Blair welcomes Chirac - sorry I am just so pleased that

A) they didn't win

B) WE did

Anyone know if they are going to show the hour long presentation by the UK - it was apparently superb

Yes I would go and watch if any of my kids were talented enough to be in it, but I would do that where ever it was.

yes, i believe atlanta still paying...but amazingly that hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for it (normally v cynical about these things, iykwim)

wow FIMAC...in that order...how very sad

And do you know what, I would be just as ecstatic if Aberdeen had won it (we're in the SE but not London) and would be booking my holiday now.

Chirac is right about haggis though along with several other of our culinary delights ..
I'll run for cover..

I had a vague feeling that Sydney was one of the few to make a profit.

Sorry but they hate us more than we hate them - Chirac was very rude and deserves everything they have got

nutty - is it just that it's in London that you object? London is the capital of this country after all! Why should it be anywhere else?

I think it is more complicated than that though. The costs and the income aren't matched exactly. The benefits to the UK for tourism and attarcting large conferences etc will be huge. And obviously some of the costs will be in terms of infrastructure which will have a lasting benefit.

In hushed tones....personally I think any other city in the UK wouldn't have the same gravitas and appeal abroad as London (and I'm not a Londoner or live particularly close to London).

Prepares to duck.

v true hmc!

Not so happy to read all the antifrench comments - no offense meant with this but just makes me
Wonder why it's only with winning the bid that the tube etc will be improved? - and to the increase in council tax - is this true?