Ministers have delayed making a decision on a London bid for the 2012 Olympics, as discussion of war against Iraq continues to dominate the Government agenda.
The Olympics decision was to be released after today's Cabinet meeting, but ministers will consider the bid over the next week before an announcement is made next Thursday.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said sports minister Tessa Jowell would today present the details of the bid to her cabinet colleagues, including details which would be new to some ministers.
"It therefore seemed only sensible to have a period in which they could reflect and mull over what they had heard," the spokesman said.
Pressure has been growing on the Government to support the bid, with a host of sporting, entertainment, and political figures calling for London to enter the contest.
New York, Madrid and Moscow are already confirmed as competitors, and Paris is likely to join the race to host the 2012 Games.
British Olympic officials say the bid would fail without Government support.
January 30, 2003 12:30
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