London cancels Olympic homecoming
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-08 10:56

Olympic homecoming celebrations have been cancelled in London after a set of explosions rocked the city's public transit system Thursday morning.

People wearing emergency blankets gather near the site of the bus explosion in Tavistock Square. [Reuters]

A party to welcome home London's successful Olympic bid delegation was planned for Friday. The group is returning from Singapore, where the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2012 Olympics to the British capital in a Wednesday announcement.
However, Friday's planned festivities were called off following a deadly set of blasts struck London's subway system and a double-decker bus Thursday.

"I'm totally distraught," said Keith Mills, chief executive of London's Olympic bid team. "I think it goes to demonstrate that no city in the world can escape terrorism these days.

"Even London, that has probably the best and most sophisticated security services in the world finds it difficult to deal with these sorts of attacks."

The IOC said the blasts would not jeopardize the decision to award the 2012 Olympic Games to London.

"From what we understand, this is not at all related to the Olympic Games," International Olympic Committee spokeswoman Giselle Davies said.

"We have full confidence in the London authorities in securing the event."

IOC president Jacques Rogge sent a message of condolence to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

Close

Celebrities in Singapore for Olympics 2012 vote Armstrong wears the leader's yellow jersey Blair and Beckham lead UK's Olympic bid

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
London terror bombings kill 37, wound 700         US mass transit alert goes to 'orange'         Hu calls for open, just world trade         SEPA ruling ends debate on park project         New Party delegation arrives in Nanjing         China, US discussing textile tensions	Liu Xiang meets top rivals again, in Rome       London cancels Olympic homecoming       Figo accepts Liverpool offer       Armstrong loses some of his lead at Tour de France       Inter swoop for Real Madrid's Solari       Chelsea Ronaldinho move laughed off