She adds, with a flicker of a smile: "And all the discussions will be strictly within the very clear rules established by the ethics committee of the IOC."Jowell says the London bid has no holes to plug in terms of transport, housing, sporting facilities, security or planning permission "On technical grounds all bases are covered," she says. "Because Tony is a world leader."Jowell says the London bid team "will be making sure that as many members of the IOC as want to talk to the Prime Minister, Cherie, to me, Richard [Caborn, the Sports Minister] or any member of the bid team will be able to meet us and talk to us about our bid."An estimated 20 per cent of the 115-strong IOC committee are still undecided, according to UK calculations, but Team London may still have to deploy every ounce of their savoir-faire to see off the Parisians. To win those crucial swing votes, Jowell says she will make herself available to any IOC member wanting to talk about the Olympics - even if she is summoned from her hotel room to the bar at 3am. "They are arguably the greatest asset we have." Jowell is an unabashed Tony Blair fan and looks shocked when asked exactly why the Blairs are the Olympic bid's greatest asset "Why?" she exclaims. With only Paris to beat, Jowell is genuinely convinced the "momentum" is with London."Honestly," she says "I could not be more cautious and less complacent. But as a nation that loves sport we can hold our heads high."To add a final boost to the British effort, Tony Blair arrived in Singapore with his wife Cherie yesterday. Their presence, particularly on the eve of the G8 summit, and just as the UK takes over the presidency of the EU, is a huge boost to London's hopes according to Jowell - she says members of the IOC "are gagging to meet them".She adds: "It is impossible to say how positive [and] enthusiastic IOC members are about Tony and also Cherie."Jowell throws up her arms in disbelief at the suggestion that the Prime Minister's presence could be a hindrance rather than a help in some quarters, because of global opposition to the Iraq war."Oh my goodness!" she exclaims, incredulously.
"The merchandising is very expensive but you will be very glad to hear that it is not for ministers to set those prices - not even a Secretary of State bidding for the Olympics. That is for the competition authorities."Officially, Tessa Jowell is Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. But right now she is firmly focused on the last element of her job description. On Wednesday in Singapore she will discover whether, after three years of effort and £30m, London has succeeded in defeating Paris for the ultimate prize in the international sporting calendar.As the 2012 Olympic bid enters its final 36 hours she is certain that there is "everything to play for". London hopes to have reached that mark with votes from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore.The London bid team rejected suggestions by the French media that it had been arrogant in assuming it had made the best progress in the past year. "I've heard the accusations of arrogance but its not arrogant in any way" said Craig Reedie, the head of the British Olympic Association. "This is a race to be won - you need 50 per cent plus one vote - and if you ask politely you may not get them.".
If "schmoozing" were an Olympic sport, Tessa Jowell might be in for a medal. In the past 10 days she has travelled almost 20,000 miles to chat up members of the International Olympic Committee. Since the launch of the bid she has visited 20 countries to make London's case. "I have hardly unpacked my suitcase," she admits, before again sending her suits off to the dry cleaners "I am normally a tidy, orderly soul. I am longing to see my own house." It is hardly surprising that Jowell has been put in charge of winning support for London's bid. If any member of the Cabinet is good at "being nice to people", it is she. Jowell's world tour in search of support for London has not been without surprises. In Qatar last week, a devout Muslim woman leant over at a lunch and, in confidential tones, told her: "Every day I pray that Michael Owen and Ronaldo will play on the same side for Manchester United.""This was a woman shrouded in black who is an absolutely passionate Man Utd fan," Jowell said.The minister is an Arsenal fan and has at times found herself at Highbury, waiting in line to buy the latest club shirts for her sons."I was always the mother at the top of the queue for the new Arsenal kit, because both my kids were Arsenal fans," she says.