The Olympic bids for 2012 are out today, and there's going to be a mighty battle between some pretty mighty, world-class cities.

So for a bit of Friday afternoon fun, I thought I'd canvas opinion on where would be your choice.

Remember it's not just about picking the city you like best - you'll also need to take into account some practicalities like transport and accomodation infrastructure, sporting heritage, existing facilities, security etc.

As this is the European forum I'm going to restrict the choice to the European bids (apologies to NY, Rio and Havana).

Your choice is:
Paris (the bookies' current favoruite)
London (bookies second choice)
Madrid
Leipzig
Moscow
Istanbul.

London

London (though I may be a bit biased as I live here and would like to have the Olympics in my city, wherever I happened to be)

Leipzig, (though I may be a bit biased as I live not far away [Dresden] and would like to have the Olympics in my vicinity, wherever I happened to be)

I'm not sure why, but my vote would be for Moscow. Russia having had such success in Olympics for so long, I think it's now their turn.

I agree with the bookies. I think Moscow has little chance, since it last had the summer olympics only 24 years ago (not that many Americans have reason to remember those games).

My own opinion is that the so-called Olympic Movement should be shut down for fraud, embezzlement, bribery and other forms of graft and corruption, so I would not wish it on anyone.

Ooops. Dan, you're right. Since the US boycotted those, I forgot all about them. OK, it's not their turn.

And I'm not sure that I don't agree with Ira.

I don't think it should go to any EU country as they will have a venue in '04. Of the remaining, it should probably go to Rio - it's time S.A. got to put on the show! I would really like it to go to Istanbul. What a truly magical city and a bridge between the East and West. Hopefully Turkey will be part of the EU by then. Anyway it will go to the city that slips the most money under the table.

If limited to Kate's choices, I'd pick Madrid first, Istanbul second, but Rio would be my real choice.

BTW, where are the games in 2008?

And ira, the Olympic movement simply reflects its participants. Would you suggest the same outcome for their governments?

I'm going with Moscow. I don't have a good reason why but that's my European vote.

Beachbum, the 2008 Olympic Games are in Beijing.

Agree with the other posters that the Olympics is a fraud and a hoax.