Madrid, London, Paris, New York and Moscow are currently battling for the right to host the Olympic Games in 2012. Up until the announcement of the results on 9 July, Al-Ahram Weekly will offer periodic updates on the latest news of the five bidding cities, some provided by the candidates themselves Slightly ahead PARIS has a one-point lead over London in the race to host the 2012 Olympics, according to a new rankings list. The Around The Rings magazine, which focuses on Olympic matters, gave London 85 out of a possible 110 points for its performance in 11 categories. London earned full marks for its plans to regenerate the Lower Lea Valley but was marked down when it came to the cost of staging the Games. Paris scored highly in the "ambiance" and "transportation" categories. The magazine stresses that the rankings just focus on factors IOC members may consider when they cast their votes rather than predicting which city will win the election. London 2012 communications director Mike Lee was delighted with the latest statistics. "This latest piece of analysis confirms what we are hearing in our own campaign work," he said. "There is a sense that London has a real momentum in this race and that technically there is very little to choose between the candidates. "It feels like a race that is too close to call at this stage." But Peter Vassiliev, of the Moscow bid, told bbcrussian.com that he was skeptical about such ratings. "Over the last two years, Around the Rings magazine stubbornly rate us in the last place out of five cities," he said. "We don't comment on the cities' ratings if they are unofficial. And this one is. It's ridiculous to comment on that. "We don't know the criteria of the method they use. "The valuation commission head Nawal Al- Moutawakel said that all the cities are in the same position and that Moscow is not an outsider. And there are no official ratings -- that's the whole point." Of the other candidates, New York, with 77, holds a two-point advantage over Madrid. Moscow is in last place with 66. Meanwhile, another Olympic bid index, www.gamesbids.com,www.gamesbids.com,which attempts to reflect IOC members' voting patterns, has London narrowing the gap on Paris to 2.5 points after "a continuously aggressive style and highly competitive plan that will attract the attention of IOC members". The index still has Paris ahead on 65.8 points, saying: "A fundamentally strong plan makes the Paris bid the top contender in the race." Eriksson joins ENGLAND boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has given his backing to London's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. The national coach became the latest big name to sign London 2012's giant campaign flag at the new Wembley Stadium -- the home of English football and one of London's venues for the 2012 Games. Eriksson, who has lived in London since taking the England job in 2001, said he was looking forward to welcoming the Games to the capital. "London is my home and it is a fantastic city, and I know it could host a great Games," he said. "The British fans are passionate about their sport as I know from the wonderful support the England team has. "I think hosting the Games in London would be fantastic for the city and for the whole of the UK." He also revealed his excitement at the prospect of the England team returning to Wembley. "It is the home of English football," said Eriksson. "I can't think of a better venue for the football finals in 2012." The announcement was welcomed by London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe. "Excitement is mounting as we go into the final stages of our campaign and I am delighted to have Sven's support," said the double Olympic champion. "He is a very successful England manager and it is great to have his endorsement. Eriksson joins more than 300 stars from the stage, screen and sports field who have signed the flag, which measures 20 x 12m. England stars David Beckham, Michael Owen, Sol Campbell and Wayne Rooney have already added their signatures to the flag which will be taken to Singapore as part of London's final presentation to the International Olympic Committee on 6 July. Circle widens NYC2012 has announced that its Circle of Olympians had surpassed 1,900 members, the largest group of athletes to support a bid for the Games. The bid continues to attract well-known athletes from 58 countries and all 50 states in the US who are involved in efforts to bring the Games to New York City for 2012. The most recent additions to NYC2012's Circle of Olympians include Wayne Gretzky, Michael Johnson, Jeremy Wariner, Jean Driscoll and Andy Roddick. Daniel Doctoroff, deputy mayor for economic development and rebuilding, and NYC2012 founder said, "The overwhelming athlete support for New York City's bid for the 2012 Games is truly reflective of their passion for this great city and its residents. We are honoured to have the largest group of athletes ever supporting our candidacy." "New York is one of the most electric cities to be an athlete in," Gretzky said. "I was able to play my last professional game in Madison Square Garden and I don't think there is anywhere in the world that you would rather play your final game and that was the greatest way to finish my career." Over 30 Olympians from NYC2012's Circle will be featured on NBC's "The Apprentice," taped previously at New York's Chelsea Piers. The participants will including swimmer Michael Phelps and track & field legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Stars out SPORTS celebrities joined supporters and spectators on 15 May for a giant celebration marking Moscow's bid to host the Olympics. The star- studded Sport Planet Festival was organised in the Luzhniki Olympic Complex by the Sport TV channel and the Moscow 2012 Bid Committee. The day-long event was opened to all Muscovites and one zone was dedicated entirely to Moscow's bid. Following the opening ceremony, guests and visitors attended a virtual reality tour of the city's Olympic River concept in which the five main venue clusters are located along the Moscow River five to 10 kilometres of each other. Echoing Moscow 2012's plans for river transport during the Games, athletes and performers were invited to embark on an Olympic fleet as it left the Luzhniki berth before making stops at the Olympic Village, Krylatskoye, Olympiisky and Tushino. Other attractions included competitions between professional athletes, opportunities to meet Russian and foreign sports stars, inter- regional tournaments and various spectator demonstrations. The celebration ended with a concert by Russian pop stars.
