London lunges at the line

Prime Minister Tony Blair, who could not bear to watch the final announcement, praised the team effort of the London delegation, saying he had never seen an operation like it. ‘‘It is not often in this job that you get to punch the air, do a little jig and embrace the person standing next to you.’’

Olympic athletes threw their arms in the air in delight and hugged each other in London’s Trafalgar Square as they watched the announcement in Singapore on a huge screen.

Champagne was sprayed around under Nelson’s Column and thousands danced in the streets after the announcement was made. ‘‘It is just amazing’’, Kelly Holmes, double Olympic champion, said. ‘‘It was so nerve-racking, I just cannot believe it.’’

London had spent most of the race to host the Games behind front-runner Paris. Coe, who took over as bid chief in May 2004, led the campaign with style, giving it momentum and catching the imagination of the IOC members.

They highlighted the city’s multicultural appeal, the passion of its people for sport and the social and economic legacies as their reasons to host the Games.

Despite starting as expected front-runner, Paris was never able to get its nose in front in the ballot. London led at every round except the second, when Madrid went briefly in front, and benefited from transferred votes when New York fell out of the race.

The opening round was remarkably close. London led by 22 votes to 21 for Paris, 20 to Madrid and 19 to New York. Moscow, with 15, went out. Madrid picked up most of the Moscow votes in the second round and led with 32 to 27 for London. Paris gained 25 and New York were eliminated with 16.

The votes for the U.S. city then went largely to London, who went back into the lead with 39. Paris were second with 33, leaving Madrid eliminated on 31.

Paris closed the gap in the final showdown but London heldoff its rival to win by 54 to 50.

‘‘I thought we could bring France a victory’’, said Henri Serandour, president of the French Olympic Committee.

‘‘What I can’t understand is that the votes that had been cast for Madrid went to London. I thought that the Latin countries which supported Madrid would come over to Paris in numbers.’’

Supporters of Moscow, New York and Madrid said that all three cities should bid again after being eliminated early in the race.

(Reuters)