On Sunday, July 3rd, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg will arrive in Singapore to present New York City's bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the 117th International Olympic Committee Session.  The Mayor will lead a delegation comprised of a wide range of New York leaders from all areas of civic life including Congressman Charles Rangel, White House Representative Roland Betts, Time Warner Chairman & CEO Dick Parsons, Loews Hotels Chairman & CEO Jonathan Tisch, and labor leaders Edward Malloy and Peter Ward.  Also in the delegation are United States Olympic Committee Chairman Peter V. Ueberroth and Nafis Sadik, Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General and Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, and 40 tremendous Olympians and Paralympians from 13 different nations including Gold medalists Muhammad Ali (Boxing: 1960 Gold), Donna de Varona (Swimming: 1960, 1964 2 Gold), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Athletics: 1984 Silver, 1988 2 Gold, 1992 Gold, Bronze, 1996 Bronze), Ian Thorpe (Swimming: 2000 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 2004 2 Gold, Silver, Bronze, Australia), Bonnie St. John (Skiing: 1984 Silver, 2 Bronze, Paralympian), Nadia Comaneci (Gymnastics: 1976 3 Gold, Silver, Bronze, 1980 2 Gold, 2 Silver, Romania), Janet Evans (Swimming: 1988 3 Gold, 1992 Gold, Silver, 1996) and Gao Min (Diving: 1988 Gold, 1992 Gold, China).

"Athletes and the athlete experience are at the heart of New York City's bid, and I am humbled and honored to be traveling with so many Olympic and Paralympic greats to Singapore as we enter into the final stage of this effort to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Mayor Bloomberg.  "Next Wednesday in Singapore, we will present New York City's story to the International Olympic Committee and demonstrate why our City would host not only an unforgettable Games but also leave a great legacy for the Olympic Movement."

"What started as a dream at a World Cup soccer match has turned into an incredible 11-year journey," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development & Rebuilding and NYC2012 Founder Daniel L. Doctoroff. "On behalf of NYC2012 and the more than 2,000 Olympians and Paralympians who have endorsed our bid, I want to thank the great people of New York for their support and encouragement.  The emotion and passion you have poured into the bid has made it tremendously special and gives us a superb chance of being elected the 2012 Host City on July 6th."

"When I look back and remember my greatest, most exciting moments as a boxer, competing in New York and competing in the Olympics are at the top of that list," said Muhammad Ali.  "To bring them together and hold the Games in New York City would be unforgettable for everyone involved, including myself."

"A New York Games would be terrific for athletes from all 202 Olympic nations," said Ian Thorpe of Australia.  "I was fortunate enough to swim in Sydney in the 2000 Games, before my hometown crowd.  The encouragement and atmosphere was incredible and I know that New York would provide a hometown crowd for every athlete.  It would be an extraordinary Olympics.  That is why I am traveling to Singapore to share my dream of a 2012 New York Games."

New York will make its final presentation to the IOC in Singapore on July 6th at 10:30 AM (July 5th at 10:30 PM EST).  That evening, the 2012 Host City announcement ceremony will commence at 7:30 PM (July 6th at 7:30 AM EST).  New York City is competing with four other Candidate Cities for the right to host the 2012 Games: London, Madrid, Moscow and Paris.

Back in New York City, NYC2012 will host a viewing party on Tuesday, July 5th from 5:00 - 9:00 PM (EST) at Rockefeller Plaza complete with Olympic sports demonstrations, musical acts and guest speakers including Olympians and Paralympians.  Beginning at 9:00 PM (EST), a live feed from Singapore will be provided for all to view the five Candidate City presentations.  On the morning of Wednesday, July 6th, NYC2012 will host the City's 2012 Olympic Host City Announcement at Rockefeller Plaza, as New Yorkers, Olympians and Paralympians, and other New York personalities gather to watch the final Host City selection.

The 40 Olympians and Paralympians from 13 different nations traveling to Singapore in support of New York City's bid are:

• Muhammad Ali (Boxing: 1960 Gold)
• Carlos Arena (Swimming: 1996, Mexico)
• Oksana Baiul (Figure Skating: 1994 Gold, Ukraine)
• Airat Bakare (Athletics: 1988, Nigeria)
• Bob Beamon (Athletics: 1968 Gold)
• Jeff Blatnik (Wrestling: 1980, 1984 Gold)
• Ann Cody (Athletics: 1988, 4 Silver; 1992, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze, Paralympian)
• Nadia Comaneci (Gymnastics: 1976 3 Gold, Silver, Bronze, 1980 2 Gold, 2 Silver, Romania)
• Carin Cone-Vanderbush (Swimming: 1956 Silver)
• Bart Conner (Gymnastics: 1976, 1980, 1984 2 Gold)
• Bob Ctzvrtlik (Volleyball: 1988 Gold, 1992 Bronze, 1996)
• Anita DeFrantz (Rowing: 1976 Bronze, 1980)
• Donna de Varona, (Swimming: 1960, 1964 2 Gold)
• Amadou DiaBa (Athletics: 1988 Silver, Senegal)
• Diane Dixon (Athletics: 1984 Gold, 1988 Silver)
• Scott Donie (Diving: 1992 Silver, 1996)
• Nikki Dryden (Swimming: 1992, 1996, Canada)
• Janet Evans (Swimming: 1988 3 Gold, 1992 Gold, Silver, 1996)
• Sandra Farmer-Patrick (Athletics: 1992 Silver, 1996)
• Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Athletics: 1984 Silver, 1988 2 Gold, 1992 Gold, Bronze, 1996 Bronze)
• Bruce MacDonald (Athletics: 1956, 1960, 1964)
• Gail Marquis (Basketball: 1976 Silver)
• Gao Min (Diving: 1988 Gold, 1992 Gold, China)
• Charlie Moore (Athletics: 1952 Gold, Silver)
• Leonard Myles-Mills (Athletics: 2000, 2004, Ghana)
• Al Oerter (Athletics: 1956 Gold, 1960 Gold, 1964 Gold, 1968 Gold)
• Michael O'Hara (Volleyball: 1964)
• Mary Jane Parks (Swimming: 1956 Bronze)
• Herb Perez (Taekwondo: 1992 Gold)
• Ralph Rodriguez (Shooting: 1968,1976, 1992, 1996, 2000, Puerto Rico)
• Jim Scherr (Wrestling: 1988)
• Malav Shroff (Sailing: 2004, India)
• Bonnie St. John (Skiing: 1984 Silver, 2 Bronze, Paralympian)
• Craig Stevens (Swimming: 2004 Silver, Australia)
• Jenny Thompson (Swimming: 1992 2 Gold, Silver, 1996 3 Gold, 2000 3 Gold, Bronze, 2004 2 Silver)
• Kirsten Thomson (Swimming: 2000 Silver, Australia)
• Ian Thorpe (Swimming: 2000 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 2004 2 Gold, Silver, Bronze, Australia)
• Nigel Traverso (Hockey: 1984)
• Nelson Vails (Cycling: 1984 Silver)
• Rose Voisk (Gymnastics: 1948, Yugoslavia)

In Singapore, please contact the NYC2012 Press Center at (65) 6825-4809/10/11 (or 011-65-65-6825-4809/10/11 when dialing from the United States).