IOC report boosts favorites Paris
LONDON, England (AP) -- Exactly a month before the vote, front-runner Paris received the best overall review Monday in an IOC evaluation of the five cities bidding for the 2012 Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee issued a 123-page report evaluating the bids of Paris, London, New York, Madrid and Moscow -- the most competitive and glamorous field in Olympic bid history.
London, Madrid and New York also got positive ratings, while long-shot Moscow came in for criticism.
The report did not rank the cities, but offered an insight into the strength and weaknesses of each bid.
It focused on technical issues such as venues, financing, transport plans, accommodations, security and public and government support.
The findings will serve as a guide for the 117 eligible IOC voting members who will cast secret ballots in Singapore on July 6.
