Queen's backing for Olympic bid

The Queen will underline her support for London's 2012 Olympic bid by hosting a reception tonight for more than 300 British Olympic medallists.

The athletes from past and present are gathering at Buckingham Palace to mark the centenary year of the British Olympic Association (BOA), one of the oldest Olympic bodies in the world.

The Queen's backing for London's bid was questioned earlier this year after a teenager claimed she had told him at a function that she expected Paris to win.

But last month's glittering dinner for the International Olympic Committee inspectors and tonight's reception should dispel any lingering doubts about her support.

More than 500 invitations have been issued and the oldest medallist at Buckingham Palace will be 93-year-old Scot Sarah 'Sissy' Hunt, nee Stewart, who won silver as a 16-year-old in 1928 swimming in the 4x100metre freestyle.

Among the guests will be Sylvia Disley, who as Sylvia Cheeseman competed the last time the Games were in London, in 1948, and believes the capital deserves to be awarded the Olympics again in 2012.

Disley, whose husband John was a co-founder of the London Marathon, said: "I am behind the bid 100%. On the two previous occasions we had the Games in 1908 and 1948 it was because we stepped into the breach when no-one else was prepared to.

"This time we want to be given a chance with a full seven years to prepare for it properly. It would also provide sports facilities in London which are really needed."

Five-times gold medallist Sir Steven Redgrave will be among the guests at the Palace, as will Ben Ainslie and Shirley Robertson who both won their second sailing golds at Athens last year.

Robertson's team-mate Sarah Webb - who with Sarah Ayton made up the 'three blondes in a boat' - is also going.

Webb said: "Hopefully the fact that the BOA is celebrating its centenary in the same year that London are bidding for the Games will be a big help.

"I would love to see the Olympics come to London - I could still be competing in 2012. The British would really get behind the Games and it would be a massive occasion for everyone involved."

Simon Clegg, BOA chief executive, said: "We are delighted that Her Majesty has decided to acknowledge our centenary in this way. This will be a unique occasion to mark an historic milestone in our history. Never before will so many Team GB medallists have gathered together and it promises to be a very special evening."

Another reception is planned for the Houses of Parliament on May 24 and that could provide a significant boost for London as IOC president Jacques Rogge and many other IOC members are expected to be present.