If, however, there were an Olympic category for oratory, or a Wimbledon for wit, then you would all win gold!Marlon Devonish, gold medallist in the 4x100 relay at Athens in 2004It is amazing When London was read out I just jumped around. Every 14- and 15-year-old will be dreaming of being at the Games in their own country and performing in front of their own fans. I have won gold at an Olympics and this is similar to how I felt then. We have to make sure there's a legacy that transforms east London and south London. But it's also important that the Olympic Games doesn't cannibalise all the money that is required for culture in this country between now and 2012.James Cracknell, rowing gold medal in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004I feel as though I have just done a race rather than watch an announcement.
It's a perfect opportunity to achieve an amazing event for the country.JG Ballard, authorI enjoy watching sports but what bothers me is the inflation of rather dull little competitions into huge trials of moral strength It's a sort of Henman-itis on a total scale. Running the 100 metres or rowing a boat are fun to watch but they are not the greatest test of mankind since D-Day. If I'm still here, I shall emigrate.Sir Nicholas Serota, director of the TateIt's hugely exciting and gives us a chance to show that culture and sport are part of everyone's lives in Britain. I would love to be involved and as a well-known sportsman from the place where the Olympics would take place, I'm an obvious candidate.
But then you feel rather mean because it is nice to have these grandiose occasions. I am concerned that it will use up the water supply and so on. I'm just not particularly won over I'm afraid.Sol Campbell, Arsenal and England defenderI'm from Stratford: not the next town or borough, Stratford itself, which is at the heart of the new site and this bid means a lot to me. I've won the European Cup, FA cups and premier leagues - that's up there with them; it's an amazing feeling.Melvyn Bragg, writer and broadcasterI am delighted. I find myself wondering if it wouldn't have been better if it had gone elsewhere. I feel a great volcanic surge of patriotism that we nicked it at the last minute from the French. It was a tremendously well-organised campaign and the idea of taking 30 children from the East End over was PR genius.