New Delhi to Host 2010 Games

London's bid to win the 2012 Olympics has been given a boost by the decision to give the 2010 Commonwealth Games to India for the first time.

New Delhi was chosen overwhelmingly ahead of Hamilton, Canada, at a meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, in a groundbreaking decision that ends fears that the sub-continent would again be overlooked.

If that had happened it might have seriously jeopardised London's chances of convincing International Olympic Committee members from Asia to vote for it when a decision is taken to award the 2012 games in July.

Securing the votes of all 31 IOC members who represent Commonwealth countries is seen as absolutely crucial if London is to have a chance of beating Paris and New York.

Barbara Cassani, the chair of the London bid, was among the observers as Delhi scored 46 votes out of a possible 72 against Hamilton's 22. Among Delhi's presentation team of more than 50 was Sunil Gavaskar, the first batsman to reach 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Singapore withdrew its candidature earlier in the contest so that India was left a clear run.

"The Games have to go on to new horizons," said Suresh Kalmadi, the president of the Indian Olympic Association. "It can't be stagnating around Canada, Australia and Britain."

The Commonwealth Games have been hosted in Asia just once, in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur in 1998. Canada held the 1994 event in Victoria, Manchester hosted it last year, while the 2006 edition will be staged in Melbourne.

"India is the largest democracy in the world, besides being a pillar of the Commonwealth," said Randhir Singh, a member of the bidding team.

"We have a better infrastructure in New Delhi than Manchester did. And by 2010 it will be even better."

India has successfully hosted two Asian Games in 1951 and 1982 - both in Delhi - as well as Cricket World Cups in 1987 and 1996.

"This is a great moment for sport and for India," said Kalmadi. "I am immensely proud of the work that has been done by our team. Their commitment has carried this bid forward, ensuring that we delivered a bid was the best for India, the best for the respective national associations, but most importantly, the best for the athletes."