Hackett joins Freeman to help London

original link

BRISBANE: Olympic and world swimming champion Grant Hackett yesterday joined another Australian sporting icon Cathy Freeman in backing London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

Hackett, the triple Olympic gold medallist and seven-times world champion, was announced here as one of London’s sporting ambassadors as the British capital canvasses support ahead of the July 6 vote of International Olympic Committee (IOC) members in Singapore.

London is vying with Paris, New York, Madrid and Moscow to host the Olympics in seven years’ time.

“Grant will act as one of our international ambassadors and he understands what our bid is about,�? London bid committee chairman Sebastian Coe told a press conference after presenting his city’s candidature at the Oceania Olympic National Committee (ONOC) general assembly yesterday.

Hackett, who was recently named captain of Australia’s swimming team for this year’s Montreal world championships, said he was impressed by London’s plans to host the Games.

“I was in the UK in November and saw the plans that London has submitted to the IOC and they look really impressive,�? Hackett said.

“It seems that Seb Coe and his team has covered all the elements to make a great Olympics. The athletes’ welfare is very much in mind and the Olympic Park plans echo those that were so good in Sydney (2000 Olympics), many venues in one place.

“London has already committed to building the Aquapark and building is underway. This will give Great Britain a state-of-the-art swimming competition venue.�?

Freeman, Australia’s track darling of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has also endorsed London’s bid and she featured prominently in the promotional video at the city’s presentation before Oceania delegates here Saturday.

Coe, who only arrived Saturday after attending the funeral of his mother in England, said he sensed momentum was swinging behind London in the final three month countdown to Singapore.

“We have certainly won over the hearts of the vast majority of people at home,�? he said.