International stars of sport and entertainment today came out in support of London’s Bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The news comes during a visit to London of a team from the International Olympic Committee to review London’s plans.
Two of the world’s most flamboyant musicians and knights of the realm were unequivocal in their desire to see London host the Games in 2012. Sir Elton John and Sir Mick Jagger, global ambassadors for British music, feel London will provide the perfect venue for the world’s greatest sporting event. London last held the Games in 1948.
Sir Mick Jagger hoped to continue a family tradition in bringing the games to the capital. He said; “I think London is perfectly placed to host a global event such as the Olympics. We have some fantastic state of the art venues including the new Wembley and a wide range of natural venues such as Hyde Park and Horseguards Parade. London is one of the most vibrant capital cities in the world and I am personally proud to lend my support to the bid.” Jagger went on to explain how the bid was personally important to him; “My own father Joe, who is now 93 worked as a judge in ’48 London Olympics so there is a family tradition of backing the Olympics.”
Sir Elton John was keen to point out what London had to offer above and beyond the world class sporting facilities. “London is a fantastic city with lots of entertainment and life about it. Music, theatre and the arts are key in making a city come to life and will also be key to making an Olympic Games more than just the world’s greatest sports event. As a nation we are passionate – we can bring the Games to London and we can show the world that British people can really put on the greatest show on earth.”
Other stars whose support is announced today include Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart, Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen, actress Elizabeth Hurley, cricketer Graham Gooch, football legend Sir Bobby Charlton and golfer Colin Montgomerie. International support comes from Chelsea coach Jose Mourhino, South African legend Morne Du Plessis, former All Black Captain Sean Fitzpatrick and South African silver medallist Ezekiel Sepeng. Sir Roger Moore KBE, who has already starred in a promotional film for London 2012, has also formally voiced his support.
Stewart and McKellen, two of the finest internationally acclaimed British actors of both stage and screen saw a 2012 Games as a cause for celebration.
Patrick Stewart is most famous for his role as the Captain of the Enterprise in Star Trek and the leader of the X – Men. Whilst on the stage, Stewart enjoyed acclaim for a number of productions, particularly A Christmas Carol, which he performed both on Broadway and the London Stage, winning a 1993 New York Theatre Critics Drama Desk Award and a 1994 Olivier Award. He said; “I was fortunate enough to see first hand in Sydney the impact of the Olympics on civic pride and unity. The Olympics is not just a sporting extravaganza but a unique opportunity to bring the rest of the world to our doorstep and proudly show our doorstep to the rest of the world. It is a chance to celebrate youth, personal commitment and the wonderful diversity of nations and cultures; let’s make it happen here.”
Stewart was joined by Sir Ian McKellen, star of the recent Lord of the Rings trilogy. McKellen, who was knighted in 1991 for his services to the performing arts, is the most acclaimed actor of his generation. He has been honoured with more than forty international awards for his performances on stage and screen. He commented; “I really hope London gets its chance to throw a fantastic party for the world; in the theatres, in the streets, on the river, as well as of course, in the arenas and sports fields.”
The worlds of entertainment and sport have united to support bringing the Games to London, as a host of sporting stars, past and present, clamoured to join those who have already lent their support. Sir Bobby Charlton, who was instrumental in helping to bring the Commonwealth Games to Manchester in 2002, said; “I saw first hand what a major championships can do for a city. The atmosphere around the games was fantastic – the whole city lived the experience. Manchester now has some of Britain’s finest sports facilities – a great legacy for the people of the city and its surrounding area. A London Olympics will be great for the whole of Britain, I also think one of the truly great things about London is that it is a really happy place – visitors to London will get the warmest welcome and will have the greatest time they can possibly imagine.”
Ex-England Cricket Captain Graham Gooch is from east London, where London will build its Olympic Park. He said; “The area and the local residents in particular will benefit enormously from the proposed regeneration that is linked to Olympic bid – a city like London should have state-of-the-art facilities and the plans for the main Olympic site in Stratford are amazing, London is a great city capable of making people from all over the world welcome.” Gooch was joined in his support by Ryder Cup Hero Colin Montgomerie who commented; “London would make an excellent host of the biggest sporting event in the world and will ultimately provide world class facilities for the future champions of British Sport.”
Today’s supporters of the Bid follow some other great names from the world of sport and entertainment who have already signed up, alongside hundreds of thousands of members of the British public. So far, more than 675,000 people have now registered their support. You can join them by logging on at london2012.com, or by texting LONDON to 82012.
For Further Information Contact:
London 2012 Press Office, 020 7093 5100
James Cornelius james.cornelius@freud.com 0207291 6342
Notes to Editors :
Ambassador Quotes in Full
Jose Mourinho – Coach of Chelsea FC
“London is now home to my family and we love living in London. It is a fantastic city and a city such as this deserves to host the Olympic Games. If my support can help this in a small way then this is a great honour for me. You never know, I may still be here in 2012 if London wins.”
Sir Bobby Charlton – Football legend
“I am delighted to add my support to London’s Bid to bring the Olympic Games to Britain. I was very involved in the Manchester Commonwealth Games and saw first hand what major championships can do for a city.
The atmosphere around the games was fantastic – the whole city lived the experience. The spectators gave the visiting teams the best welcome possible and the city really entertained them. And above all Manchester now has some of Britain’s finest sports facilities – a great legacy for the people of the city and its surrounding area.
If London wins the vote to bring the Olympic Games to Britain – we will experience the same but on a larger scale. A London Olympic Games will be great for the whole of Britain. Youngsters from all over the British Isles will have the opportunity to be part of the Games – as competitors, workforce, volunteers or spectators and the city will have the lasting legacy of state of the art sports venues and facilities.
But, I also think one of the truly great things about London is that it is a really happy place – visitors to London will get the warmest welcome and will have the greatest time they can possibly imagine.”
Colin Montgomerie – Golf
“I am delighted to support the London 2012 bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. London would make an excellent host of the biggest sporting event in the world and will ultimately provide world class facilities for the future champions of British Sport.”
Graham Gooch – East Londoner!
“I am a big fan of London’s Bid to bring the Olympics to the City – particularly as I was born and brought up in Leytonstone. The area and the local residents in particular will benefit enormously from the proposed regeneration that is linked to the Olympic Bid – a city like London should have state of the art facilities and the plans for the main Olympic site in Stratford are amazing.
It is a win, win for everyone, London is a great city capable of making people from all over the world welcome, Londoners will benefit from the amazing facilities that will be left after the Games and the nation will benefit from the excitement and buzz of the Olympics and the economic rewards.”
Morne Du Plessis – South Africa – Rugby legend
“I support London’s Bid for the Olympic games. To me London is the crossroad of the world – with a largely cosmopolitan sport loving population that would support an Olympic Games in all its forms.
I believe London can deal with many demands for transport, accommodation, sports stadia and the goodwill of the inhabitants.”
Sean Fitzpatrick – Former All Black Captain
“I have competed in Britain on many occasions as Captain of the All Blacks and each time enjoyed the great support from the crowds. I now live in Britain and work in London, and believe the city would be a great venue for the Olympic Games – it is so multicultural and has some fantastic venues, which are included in London’s bid plans.”
Ezekiel Sepeng – South Africa – Silver medalist 800m at the Atlanta Olympics
“I have raced in London on a number of occasions and have really enjoyed the amazing atmosphere created by the crowd. If London were to get the Olympics in 2012 this atmosphere would definitely be multiplied by a hundred. London is a great city with so much to offer athletes and spectators alike, both at the competition venues and outside the stadiums.
People from all over the world would have a really good welcome from London – it is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. I look forward to being there…though maybe not running! “
Sir Mick Jagger
“I think London is perfectly placed to host a global event such as the Olympics. We have some fantastic state of the art venues including the new Wembley and a wide range of natural venues such as Hyde Park and Horseguards Parade. London is one of the most vibrant capital cities in the world and I am personally very proud to lend my support to the Bid.
My own father Joe, whose now 93 worked as a Judge in the 1948 so there is a family tradition of backing the Olympics!”
Sir Elton John
“London is a fantastic city with lots of entertainment and life about it. Music, theatre and the arts are key in making a city come to life and will also be key to making an Olympic Games more than just the world’s greatest sports event.
As a nation we are passionate – we can bring the Games to London and we can show the world that British people can really put on the greatest show on earth.”
Sir Roger Moore KBE
“I was born in London. I grew up in London. I’ve spent much of my working life in and around London. I can think of no more suitable venue than our great city to host the 2012 Olympics, and give the bid my full support”.
Sir Ian McKellen
“I really hope London gets its chance to throw a fantastic party for the world; in the theatres, in the streets, on the river, as well as, of course, in the arenas and sports fields.”
Patrick Stewart
“I was fortunate to see first hand in Sydney the impact of the Olympics on civic pride and unity. The Olympics is not just a sporting extravaganza but a unique opportunity to bring the rest of the world to our doorstep and proudly show our doorstep to the rest of the world. It is a chance to celebrate youth, personal commitment and the wonderful diversity of nations & cultures; let’s make it happen here.”
Elizabeth Hurley
“I strongly support London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympics. It would be as fantastic for Britain as it would be for the world.”