Book Description
Product Description
London bid leader and British Olympic hero Sebastian Coe, Tony Blair and David Beckham all played a part in winning the most competitive race for the Games in Olympic history. But it was far from plain sailing and the campaign was a rollercoaster ride of emotions: full of drama, controversy and tears from the moment businesswoman Barbara Cassani was given the task of launching the bid in 2003, to the fateful day in Singapore when her successor, Lord Coe, and the rest of the world was told London had won.
Mike Lee was at the heart of this intriguing journey through the entangled world of International Olympic Committee politics, international sport, British politics and the media as he travelled the world with Coe and other team members to present London's bid.
From the Back Cover
The true story behind the most dramatic bid campaign in Olympic history.
London's victory in the campaign for the 2012 Olympics on 6 July 2005 in Singapore was one of the biggest surprises in the 110-year history of the modern Games. For most of the closely fought two-year bidding campaign involving five world-class cities, Paris was regarded as the firm favourite, but, with one of the greatest sporting victories in living memory, the Olympics would come to British shores for the first time in almost 65 years.
As Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the London 2012 bid, Mike Lee was at the centre of the unique and sometimes controversial strategy to bring together some of the country;s brightest stars and sporting ambassadors: from top Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes and Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, to celebrities such as David Beckham and political and royal heavyweights such as Tony Blair and HRH The Princess Royal. He was also involved in the inspired decision to include 30 school children form the East-End of London in presentation. The emotion and drama of the resignation of bid leader Barbara Cassani, perceived public negativity in the UK, IOC political wrangling and the most nerve-wracking final announcement of recent times is recalled by those at the heart of London 2012, including Olympics minister Tessa Jowell, London mayor Ken Livingstone and bid leader Sebastion Coe.
The Race for the 2012 Olympics is the behind-the-scenes story of the bid that overcame all major obstacles to unite British sport behind the goal of winning a prize that will change the face of London and sport in the UK forever, and make London's dream of hosting the world's greatest sporting contest a reality.
