By IANS
New Delhi : Britain will support India’s bid for the 2020 Olympic Games, London Mayor Ken Livingstone said here Monday.
The mayor gave his nod when Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), asked for Britain’s support to India’s bid.
“Just like favourite New York lost to London for the 2012 Olympics, India should not be complacent as Paris is going to give them a tough fight,” said Livingstone at a conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here.
The conference brought together the organisers of the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, with both sides exchanging ideas.
Livingstone said the effort to host world class sporting events would enhance the opportunity for the two cities to develop a relationship and strengthen social, cultural and economical bonding.
“Sporting events like Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games provide opportunities to improve the skills of the local community,” said Livingstone.
“In real terms, India is the fourth largest economy in the world. By 2020, three men will take important decisions of the world – the American president, Chinese president and the Indian prime minister.”