The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that the nine cities in the bidding race to host the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games have all returned their questionnaires to the IOC on time, thereby officially confirming their interest in hosting the Games.

The nine cities are Paris, Leipzig, New York, Moscow, Istanbul, Havana, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and London. The questionnaires will now be examined in detail by the IOC on 18 May while the committee is due to make its final decision on the host city in July 2005.

Meanwhile, full details of London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games were revealed in Covent Garden on 16 January.

With full backing from Prime Minister Tony Blair and Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, London’s bid will incorporate many existing sporting sites such as Wembley, Wimbledon and Lord’s.

Details were also released about a brand new Olympic Park to be situated in east London. Facilities at the Park would include an 80,000 seat stadium, an aquatic centre and a velodrome.

Chair of London’s bid, Barbara Cassani, explained at the launch that many of the 28 sports will take place within 15 minutes of the athletes village at Olympic Park and a seven minute train ride from central London. Tourist landmarks like Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and the Horse Guards Parade would be utilised for some of the events.

Cassani also revealed that cities outside London would host some of the competitions, including the earlier stages of the football tournament.

Speaking at the launch, Tony Blair said: “We have a huge passion for sport in this country which puts us in a very strong position. I hope we are given the chance to host the world’s most important sporting event in the world’s greatest capital city.”

Cassani added: “The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics will enhance sport in London and the UK forever. Our people, especially the young, will benefit from new facilities and our next generation of athletes will be better equipped to develop into future Olympians.” Details: www.london 2012.org