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 Countdown clock POLITICIANS from all three major political parties in Britain have taken a break from the general election campaign to launch a London 2012 countdown clock in Trafalgar Square . The clock shows the exact number of days, hours, minutes and seconds until the host city for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is announced on 6 July. London 2012 ambassador Cherie Blair joined bid chairman Sebastian Coe and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell to unveil the clock which is sponsored by London 2012 Premier Partner EDF Energy. And Shadow Sports Minister Hugh Robertson joined Liberal Democrat London spokeswoman Sarah Teather at the launch to underline the cross- party support behind London's bid. "The London 2012 countdown clock provides a visual focus for our campaign as we enter the final stages of our bid to bring the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to London," double Olympic champion Lord Coe said. "I believe that London has a winning blueprint, and just this week the mayor announced that a new hockey facility will be built in London regardless of the outcome of the bid. "This leaves us just two permanent venues to build for a London Games and demonstrates the sporting benefits already coming from this bid." Cherie Blair, wife of the British prime minister, who has been one of the bid's strongest supporters, added: "I know that winning the right to host the Games here in London would be a huge boost to the capital, the UK and the Olympic movement. "It would be a fantastic experience for the world's athletes and would help to inspire a new generation of young people around the world and help to increase participation in Olympic sport." Commuters and visitors passing through the capital's major railway stations will be able to see London 2012 countdown clocks on giant advertising screens. The screens at Charing Cross, Euston, Gatwick Airport, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Paddington and Waterloo stations are part of a �500,000 promotional campaign that also includes posters, leaflets and stickers. Raul strikes REAL Madrid striker Raul Gonzalez has been named as an ambassador for Madrid's bid to host the 2012 Olympics. Five-time Tour de France champion Miguel Indurain and former tennis star Arantxa Sanchez- Vicario are also among the 13 athletes promoting Madrid's bid. Two of them will join Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Queen Sofia at the vote on 6 July. Raul's involvement will put him at odds with Real team-mates David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane. England captain Beckham has appeared in a promotional video for London's bid, while Frenchman Zidane is backing Paris. Zapatero is the first of the rival leaders to commit to attending the final vote in Singapore, while it was announced that Queen Sofia would lead the Madrid delegation. "It is essential to show clearly that not only do we have a great project, but also strong institutional and popular support," said Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon. The International Olympic Committee vote takes place on the same day as the opening of the G8 summit in Scotland. British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac are due to attend the summit at Gleneagles, but both are considering whether to travel to Singapore first to promote their bids.
