Prime Minister Tony Blair’s official spokesman said a decision on whether London will bid for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games may be delayed for at least another two weeks.
The British Cabinet discussed the matter on Thursday and Blair asked for their initial views, but they will have longer to decide.
The spokesman told reporters, “a formal intention to bid has to be announced by July and the Cabinet will have further discussions in two weeks’ time. There are complex issues that arise for a number of departments and the government as a whole”.
It is understood that Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell recommended that the government support a London bid at Thursday’s cabinet meeting.
The Guardian reports that the vast majority of Thursday’s meeting was spent discussing a potential Olympic bid. The Prime Minister’s spokesman said the issues discussed included financing and what legacy the Games would leave for the site in east London.
Ministers are understood to be extremely nervous about mounting a bid following the failure of Britain’s attempt to win the World Cup and the fiasco of the Millennium Dome.
Meanwhile, according to a poll on GamesBids.com that asks “Do you think London should bid for the Olympic Games”, six per cent of respondents were not sure, 49 per cent said Yes for 2012, 23 per cent said Yes for 2016 and 21 per cent voted No.
