London has offered millions of dollars in new financial incentives as part of its bid for the 2012 Summer Games.
One day after offering a variety of inducements to sports federations, London said it will provide additional financial support to athletes and national Olympic committees. The package announced Monday includes free round-trip flights to the more than 10,000 athletes and thousands of team officials attending the games.
In addition, each of the 200 national committees would receive a $50,000 "credit" toward the cost of using training facilities in Britain. Athletes would get $100 worth of free phone calls from the Olympic village and free train travel throughout Britain after the Games. Families of the athletes would be given free accomodations with British families during the Olympics.
On Sunday, London appealed directly to the international federations, offering special hotel rates, price discounts, television exposure and other inducements. London is competing against New York, Paris, Madrid and Moscow to host the 2012 Games. The International Olympic Committee will select the host city in Singapore on July 6.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
