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Wembley lights night sky as London celebrates

Posted on: Wednesday, 6 July 2005, 16:52 CDT

By Ken Ferris

LONDON (Reuters) - British sport welcomed London's success in winning the race to host the 2012 Olympics as Wembley Stadium's arch was lit up to mark the occasion on Wednesday.

The new stadium, built at a cost of 757 million pounds ($1.33 billion), will host the Olympic soccer finals and the Football Association (FA) was delighted to have played its part in helping the bid.

"The FA has been proud to offer its support throughout the campaign," said Brian Barwick, chief executive of the FA, English soccer's governing body.

"Last year, the senior men's England squad gave its backing to London 2012 whilst head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson and captain David Beckham were in Singapore this week to support Lord Coe and his team."

Michael Cunnagh, chief executive of WNSL, which runs the stadium, added: "Wembley Stadium has shown the benefits of putting sporting venues at the heart of regeneration and we look forward to Stratford's transformation."

The focus of the Games is Stratford in East London, where a large area of land has been set aside for the Olympic park, but the bid team have always stressed the importance of London's sporting 'crown jewels', such as Wembley, Lord's and Wimbledon. "This is a fantastic achievement and we're thrilled not only for Wimbledon but more importantly for what this will mean for the whole of British sport," said Tim Phillips, the All England Club chairman.

"Many congratulations to the London 2012 team."

Lord's, the home of cricket, will host the archery competition in 2012.

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive David Collier said: "We believe that London's win today will put sport high on the agenda in the coming years.

"All sports, including cricket, will benefit. We are proud that Lord's, the home of the game, has been chosen to host the archery competition."

BLUE RIBAND

UK Athletics also praised bid leader Sebastian Coe and his team for bringing the Games to London and said it was ready to accept the challenge to ensure British athletes climb on to the podium to collect their share of medals in 2012.

Adam Walker, deputy chief executive for UK Athletics, said: "Athletics is the Blue Riband event of the Olympic Games and the result is superb news for everyone in the sport."

UK Athletics has been involved in a number of grassroots initiatives over the past seven years to help children get active and believe the Games will crown their work.

"Hosting an Olympics means that much of the hard work to inspire children to take part in the sport will come to fruition in our own backyard," said Walker.

"The 2012 Games will give the next generation focus and inspire them to get into sport. It will give athletics fresh impetus to build upon, all in all, it is a hugely exciting time for UK Athletics."

Badminton England chief executive Clive Ricks said: "It's marvellous news and a real incentive for young developing players.

"Being so close to London, our superb national badminton center will be a key facility in the preparation of our British squad and most likely many of the international squads in the weeks before the 2012 Games."

Britain won a silver medal in the mixed doubles in Athens last year and bronze in Sydney in 2000.

Source: REUTERS

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