IOC Praises Paris But Rival London Still in the Games

Paris was yesterday confirmed as favourite to host the 2012 Olympics after the International Olympic Committee published a glowing appraisal of the city's plans for the summer games.

London emerged as the closest contender to the French capital in a report by the IOC evaluation commission on the plans put forward by the five cities bidding for the games.

London was praised for addressing concerns raised by the IOC in March last year, particularly regarding transport which had been described as "obsolete". However, concerns were expressed at its ability to deliver the main construction projects on time.

Despite the praise heaped on Paris, Lord Coe, London's bid chairman, was bullish in his assessment of the report, which comes just 30 days before the IOC meet to vote on the 2012 venue in Singapore. "This is a springboard for the next 30 days. We are in a position to continue to build on the momentum that this bid has enjoyed ... very obviously over the last six months." Culture secretary Tessa Jowell, said: "What this report shows is that we have a bid that can win the greatest prize sport can bestow."

Lord Coe, Ms Jowell, and sports minister, Richard Caborn, will in a busy international lobbying schedule attempt to play on the concerns of some of the 116 IOC voting members that the report is part of a coronation process for Paris rather than a contribution to the election process.