The 2012 Olympics: Incredibly, it's London -- and for once, I've beaten the bookies.

Here's looking forward to seven years of roadworks, increased council taxes and an influx of Albanian construction workers to the capital.

Meanwhile, the knives will be out for Jacques Chirac.

With just 4 votes separating London and Paris in the final round of voting, the French president's misjudged comments in the lead-up to the IOC session could have made all the difference.

Tony Blair, though, deserves full credit -- and it's not often I say that.

His decision to travel to Singapore to lobby IOC members made a vital difference, indicating clearly Britain's determination to bring the Games here for the first time since 1948.