Race For 2012 Neck and Neck

The International Olympic Committee chairman, Jacques Rogge, has said that competition to stage the 2012 Games is the closest in Olympic history.

The shortlist consists of London, Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow and the successful winner will be announced in Singapore on 6 July.

He said:

"Five of the greatest cities in the world are bidding. It's probably the toughest race in history..I don't want to speculate on front-runners, all are good bids."

IOC inspectors have visited all five candidates this year, with Paris and London widely regarded as the leading contenders.

Both cities have staged the Games twice before - Paris in 1900 and 1924, and London in 1908 and 1948.