London's winning bid

How we won the bid

On July 6 2005 at 12:46pm UK time, Jacques Rogge stood in front of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) General Assembly in Singapore and announced: ‘the Games of the XXXth Olympiad in 2012 are awarded to the city of…London.'

The announcement was greeted with delight by the London delegation in Singapore, the 30,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square and at events all over the country – from Stratford to Weymouth.

It was the result of three years’ hard work by a dedicated bid team supported by millions of people around the UK.

Bid timeline

2003 – Bid team formed, led by Barbara Cassani. They put together the original ‘Applicants Questionnaire’, outlining details of how London would stage the Games.

16 January 2004 – Bid officially launched at Covent Garden. Applicants Questionnaire sent to the IOC.

Nine other cities send in Questionnaire - Havana, Leipzig, London, Madrid, Istanbul, Moscow, New York, Paris and Rio de Janeiro.

18 May 2004 – IOC shortlists London, Madrid, Moscow, New York and Paris. Event marked by firework display at the London Eye.

Sebastian Coe becomes Chair of the bid company, Keith Mills continues as Chief Executive.

May-November 2004 – Candidate File put together, spelling out in detail how the London Games will be staged.

15 November 2004 – 15-year-old east London schoolgirl Amber Charles hands in Candidate File to IOC headquarters, Lausanne.

February 2005 – IOC's Evaluation Committee visits London to inspect the plans.

February – July – London 2012 team works on the final bid presentation. Public support for the Games grows: 75 per cent 'back the bid', with four million signed-up supporters.

6 July 2005 –  London 2012 delegation travels to Singapore to make final presentation. The group includes 30 young people from east London.

Sebastian Coe presents London 2012’s vision for a Games to inspire the youth of the world.

Members of the IOC vote in secret electronically, until one city has more than 50% of the total votes. After each round, the country with the lowest number of votes is knocked out.

Voting goes down to the final two cities - London and Paris.

12.46pm: Jaques Rogge announces London as the 2012 Host City, winning by 54 votes to 50.

12.46pm: London celebrates. And then the hard work begins…