London beats Paris to 2012 Games THE 2012 OLYMPIC Games will be held in London, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced yesterday. London won a two-way fight with Paris by 54 votes to 50 at the IOC meeting in Singapore, after bids from Moscow, New York and Madrid were eliminated. Paris had been favourites throughout the campaign but London's hopes were raised after an impressive presentation by Lord Coe, the bid chairman. IOC President Jacques Rogge made the dramatic announcement last Wednesday at 2:49pm Cairo time. It will be the first time the Olympics has been held in Britain since 1948. "This is just the most fantastic opportunity to do everything we ever dreamed of in British sport," Coe said. The news delighted flag-waving supporters who had gathered in London's Trafalgar Square. But raindrops began falling on disapointed Parisians outside the Hotel de Ville in the French capital shortly after the result. All five bidding cities gave final 45-minute presentations to the IOC members before the vote began. The electronic ballot started early Wednesday. Moscow, New York and Madrid were eliminated from the race in the first, second and third rounds of voting. The final round of voting finished giving the committee forty-five minutes before reconvening for the official announcement. IOC president Jacques Rogge revealed the winner after a nerve-wracking wait at 2:49pm Cairo time. Wednesday's decision brought to an end the 18-month race to win the host contract for the 2012 Games. And it was the most keenly-fought bidding contest in recent years. Paris was considered the front-runner for much of the campaign, and was highly rated in the initial evaluation and also by the inspectors after their visits earlier in the year. But it was widely recognised that bid leader Lord Coe, a high- profile personality within the IOC and other governing bodies, hauled London closer to the French capital as the vote approached. The two cities had President Chirac and Prime Minister Blair respectively in their corners. Mr Chirac actually took part in the French capital's final presentation on Wednesday, while Mr Blair opted to lobby alongside the London bid team in Singapore before flying back to Britain to host the G8 summit. London also called on England captain David Beckham and a galaxy of Olympic and Paralympic medallists as ambassadors, while footballers Laurent Blanc and Zinedine Zidane were among those backing the Paris bid. Madrid was seen as a consistent but not outstanding candidate, while New York's bid was dogged by problems over their proposed stadium, and Moscow was always seen as the rank outsider. Henry with Arsenal THIERRY Henry insists he will not leave Arsenal to join Barcelona. The 27-year-old has been touted as a top target for the La Liga champions as coach Frank Rijkaard strengthens his squad for next season. But Henry intends to stay and said: "I have no intention of going anywhere. I'm very happy at Arsenal. It's the family spirit that matters. I heard that Spanish clubs are ready to pay out to secure my transfer but that's no part of my plans." Henry needs five more goals to equal Ian Wright's all-time Arsenal record of 185 goals, and has already set his sights on reclaiming the title in the club's last season at Highbury. He said: "We did not go backwards last season but getting the title back will be very difficult." And Arsenal have insisted they have no intention of selling the star. Boxing back on TV PROMOTER Frank Warren has signed a deal with British television channel ITV to bring professional boxing back to terrestrial television. ITV will broadcast 20 shows a year, including IBF light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton and WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe. The first show will feature the pro debut of Olympic hero Amir Khan. Khan features on the undercard of Matt Skelton's British heavyweight title defence against Danny Williams at the Bolton Arena on 16 July. On 23 July, British and Commonwealth super featherweight champion Alex Arthur will attempt to win the European title against Boris Sinitsin at Edinburgh's Meadowbank Stadium. Warren spent 14 years at ITV, delivering some of the biggest names in British boxing including Frank Bruno, Nigel Benn and Naseem Hamed. He and his Sports Network outfit moved to Sky Sports in 1995 but the return to ITV of new controller of sport Mark Sharman, a keen boxing fan, prompted Warren's return. Warren said: "We saw the huge potential of boxing on ITV when we promoted the Amir Khan-Mario Kindelan rematch in May. "It delivered fantastic TV ratings -- to the tune of 6.3 million viewers -- that beat everything else that night and is the biggest Saturday night viewership this year. Just imagine what kind of figures exciting fighters like Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe will pull in." Also on Warren's books are WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison and WBO cruiserweight king Johnny Nelson. Mick Hennessy-promoted British, European and Commonwealth light welterweight champion Junior Witter will fight live on ITV on 9 July. Meanwhile, Sky TV is to continue its commitment to boxing and will cherry-pick big fights. Devonish the winner OLYMPIC replay gold medallist Marlon Devonish completed the sprint double at the Cork City Sports on Saturday. Kelly Holmes was to have been the big draw the Irish meeting, but her injury withdrawal left another Athens winner to steal the limelight. Devonish won the 200 metres in 20.34 seconds and then pipped Gambia's Jaysuma Saidy Ndure in a 100 race in which American Bernard Williams finished fourth. Indoor world champion Tyree Washington romped home in the 400 metres. He won comfortably in a race of just five runners after Irish pair David Gillick and David McCarthy withdrew. Graham Hedmann of England was second. Craig Mottram won with ease in the 3,000 metres in seven minutes 38.16, with Australian team-mate Benita Johnson winning the women's race over the same distance. Home favourite Sonia O'Sullivan, coming to the end of a glittering career, finished in sixth place.
