'Are we ready? Yes we are!' London Mayor Boris Johnson attacks U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney as he issues Olympics rallying cry to 60,000 at Hyde Park

The Republican presidential candidate told American TV that it was hard to know 'just how well it ...will turn out'

Following the controversy he seemed to change his tune, telling the media today 'it's going to be a wonderful 17 days'

The American also appeared to forget Ed Miliband's name, referring to him as Mr Leader



Indian minister tweets that athletes think London accommodation is worse than the Commonwealth Games in Delhi

Prime Minister David Cameron says all parts of Britain will get 'value for money' from the Olympics




Boris Johnson yesterday issued an Olympics rallying cry in response to Mitt Romney's dig over London's appetite to host the 2012 Games.



The U.S. presidential hopeful, who is in the UK on a diplomatic visit, had doubted the British public's passion for the Olympics in a television interview for U.S. network NBC.

Despite his backtracking - saying that the Olympics would be 'a wonderful 17 days' - the man who could replace Barack Obama as the world's most important leader found himself singled out as public enemy number one.



Speaking in front of 60,000 assembled in Hyde Park at a concert to mark the end of the Olympic Torch relay, the London Mayor last night reaffirmed the city's zeal for the event.

'There are some people coming from around the world who don't yet know if we are ready,' the Mr Johnson roared. 'There's a guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know whether we are ready. Are we ready? Yes we are!'

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'Are we ready? Yes we are!': Boris Johnson issues his Olympics rallying cry as he speaks in front of 60,000 gathered in Hyde Park, central London, on the eve of the beginning of the 2012 Games

Proud: Torchbearer Tyler Rix, left, and London Mayor Boris Johnson wave to the crowd at the lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Finale Concert

The clarion call prompted a tumultuous response from the thousands watching who were assembled for the Olympic Torch relay finale. The flame was carried into the central London park by saxophonist Tyler Rix, 19. where he lit a golden cauldron on the concert stage.

Mark Ronson and Katy B performed the official song for London 2012, Anywhere In The World. The producer travelled across the country to meet five UK Olympic hopefuls and sample the sounds they made playing their sport for the track.

He told Capital FM earlier that it was great to finally perform the song live, but that he had been wracked with nerves about its reception by fans.

'A year ago we started writing it, this will be the first time we actually perform it in front of people,' he said, adding: 'You don't want to look out and see thousands of bored kids. You want people to be feeling it.'

Katy B arrived on stage ahead of Ronson to play a string of her own hits, including 'On A Mission'. Earlier, Wretch 32 and Rizzle Kicks took to the stage in Hyde Park to kick of the proceedings, where fans enjoyed temperatures of 30 degrees. The Wanted and headliner Dizzee Rascal closed the event.



Mission accomplished: Katy B sings for fans at the Olympic gig, where she teamed up with producer Mark Ronson for a performance of the Olympic song



High jump: Wretch 32 performing at the Coca Cola London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay concert in Hyde Park, central London

Sporty look: Eliza Doolittle also sang for fans at the gig in Hyde Park, adequately dressed for sweltering temperatures in London yesterday afternoon



After less than 48 hours in London, presidential candidate Romney had earlier risked incurring the wrath of many Britons by questioning whether the country had what it takes to host an Olympics.



The millionaire Mormon said on Wednesday night there were 'disconcerting' signs about whether the nation can handle the event, and called into question the commitment of the British people. But he appeared to change his tune during a meeting with the Chancellor today when he said it would be a 'wonderful 17 days'.

Barack Obama's Republican challenger , who is in London meeting Prime Minister David Cameron, Labour leader Ed Miliband and a host of other politicians today, initially told TV viewers in America that it was hard to know 'just how well it (the Games)... will turn out.'

Mr Romney, who was praised for his management of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002 after earlier organisers were tainted by a bribery scandal, also questioned whether the country was willing to 'celebrate' the Games.

Mitt Romney meets David Cameron at Downing Street yesterday. He said he recognised the 'unique relationship' which exists between Britain but called into question the commitment of the British people to the Olympics Visit: Mr Romney enters Downing Street and is pictured right with Foreign Secretary William Hague More upbeat now: Romney gesticulates as he leaves Downing Street after his meeting with Mr Cameron Labour leader Ed Miliband greets presidential challenger Mitt Romney at Westminster this morning. He has suggested to NBC news that London isn't ready for the Games and said it's hard to know how it will turn out Mr Romney with Foreign Secretary William Hague in London yesterday. He has questioned whether Britain is ready to 'celebrate' the Games and says there were 'a few things that were disconcerting' about its organisation

'ROMNEY IS A WAZZOCK': BRITISH PRESS TURN ON U.S. POLITICIAN

The British media were quick to launch into Mitt Romney in the wake of his less-than-complimentary views on London's Olympics.

The Daily Telegraph's Lucy Jones branded him a 'wazzock' after the U.S. presidential hopeful questioned Britain's desire to host the Games. She said: 'Who does Mitt Romney think he is? I feel a glimmer of protectiveness and pride.... there's one thing Romney could learn while he's in Britain this week: some manners.' Nicholas Watt, from The Guardian, tweeted of his U-turn: 'Mitt Romney rowing back like mad on Olympics: now says outside No 10 games to be a great success'. Meanwhile, Paul Harris said: 'Good old Mitt. His charm offensive in the UK failed to be charming, but he really pulled off the offensive bit #gop #romney.'

James Kirkup, also from The Daily Telegraph, drew attention to Prime Minister David Cameron's response to Romney's comments.

'Mr Romney made his name salvaging the Salt Lake City winter games in 2002 (above), an achievement he may think qualifies him to comment on preparations for London 2012,' he said. 'In the context of Mr Romney's glittering resumé, one of Mr Cameron's (faintly defensive) comments bears particular attention: "We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. "Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic games in the middle of nowhere." 'Some cynics thought that the "middle of nowhere" comment could just be a swipe at Salt Lake City, which is quite near the middle of, er, Utah. Terrible people, cynics.'

Making the controversial comments to NBC News on Wednesday night, he said: 'You know, it’s hard to know just how well it will turn out.

'There are a few things that were disconcerting, the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging. Because in the Games, there are three parts that makes Games successful.

'Number one, of course, are the athletes. That’s what overwhelmingly the Games are about. Number two are the volunteers. And they’ll have great volunteers here.

'But number three are the people of the country. Do they come together and celebrate the Olympic moment? And that’s something which we only find out once the Games actually begin.'

However, yesterday he seemed to take a different stance when he called in on Chancellor George Osborne in Downing Street.



As they posed for pictures at a boardroom table in Number 11, Mr Romney told Mr Osborne: 'This has been quite a day, to meet with you and your colleagues and get a sense of your perspective.



'I will be at the opening ceremony. I can't resist the pull of the beginning of the Olympics here, and from what I can tell, it's going to be a wonderful 17 days.'

After speaking at an investment conference at Lancaster House, London Mayor Boris Johnson dismissed the suggestion that the capital was unprepared for the Games.



'London is as ready as any city has been in the history of the Olympic Games,' he told reporters.



'I'm worried that I haven't got enough to worry about.'



Mr Romney's visit is an important opportunity for the presidential candidate to demonstrate his grasp of foreign affairs and ability to represent the US overseas.

However, during a meeting with Mr Miliband at Westminster, the American made another gaffe as he seemingly didn't know who the Labour party chief was and instead addressed him as 'Mr Leader'.

His campaign team has already been forced to distance itself from a briefing on U.S.-UK relations after an unnamed adviser reportedly told the Daily Telegraph that he had a better understanding of the two countries' 'Anglo-Saxon heritage' than his Democrat rival, incumbent president Barack Obama, who is of African-American descent.



U.S. vice president Joe Biden called the remarks 'disturbing'.



Mr Romney's apparent criticism of the Games comes amid concerns raised ever since private security firm G4S said it would have to provide thousands fewer staff than they originally promised.

The Government has been forced to call in thousands of members of the armed forces - many of whom have just returned from Afghanistan - to plug the gaps.



There has also been problems with Border Agency staff threatening to go on strike during the Games, although this was called off yesterday.



Despite the furor over Mr Romney's comments, he did tell Ed Miliband that he recognised the 'unique relationship' which exists between Britain and the United States.



He praised the efforts of Britain's armed forces in the 'joint effort' in Afghanistan, saying 'the people of Great Britain have sacrificed enormously in helping bring peace to that nation'.

Prime Minister David Cameron speaks to London Olympics organiser Sebastian Coe as they stroll through the Olympic park today after Mitt Romney suggested Britain wasn't ready for the Games

GAFFE NUMBER 2: DID MITT ROMNEY FORGET ED MILIBAND'S NAME?

Mitt Romney was today subjected to some Twitter jibes when he appeared to forget Ed Miliband’s name. The gaffe came after he caused controversy after appearing to question the preparedness of Britain to host the Olympics.

Speaking at a press conference this morning the presidential challenger addressed the British media on a number of issues 48 hours into his visit to the capital, where he is meeting a number of politicians.

Replying to the Labour leader in front of the press, Mr Romney said: 'Like you, Mr Leader, I look forward to our conversations this morning ... and recognise, of course, the unique relationship that exists between our nations, our commitment to common values, our commitment to peace in the world and our desire to see a stronger and growing economy.'

His comments come as Indian government minister for youth affairs and sports Ajay Maken revealed on Twitter that his nation's athletes think the village at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi two years ago was better than the accommodation they've been given at the Stratford complex.

They claim to be upset about the toilet facilities which has been converted to house 16,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 204 nations.



They say four to six athletes are being forced to use one toilet, forcing some of them to alter their morning routines.



This is despite a series of shocking pictures which emerged at the time exposing the filthy state of the bedrooms and bathroom facilities near the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Delhi.



Many participating nations complained that the facilities were not fit for human habitation, and images showed paw marks on the beds, stained wash basins,loos and showers, and dark red marks on the furniture caused by workmen spitting out chewed betel leaves.









Indian athletes have revealed they are not impressed with the accommodation at London's Olympic village

FOREIGN VISITORS STAY LONGER IN THE UK AND SPEND MORE MONEY

Tourism chiefs have shown how the UK can benefit from the Olympics as figures demonstrated that overseas visitors flocked to the UK even before the Games.

Foreign residents made 3.3% more trips to the UK last year than in 2010, staying longer and spending more money, figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed. These overseas visitors stayed for 3.2% more nights last year than in 2010 and spent 6.5% more money during their trips.

Foreign residents made 15.3 million overnight visits to London in 2011, an increase of 584,000 (or 4%) from 2010, and spent an estimated £9.4 billion on visits to the capital.

Overnight visits to the rest of England grew by 3.4% to 13 million in 2011 while those to Scotland and Wales were broadly unchanged at 2.3 million and 0.9 million respectively.

UK residents made 2.3% more visits abroad, but they stayed for 2% fewer nights and spent 0.4% less money on these visits in 2011, compared with 2010. The average visit by UK residents to Europe last year grew by 3.5%, while those to North America grew by 0.4% and those to other countries fell by 2.6%.



Meanwhile, the Prime Minister David Cameron insisted yesterday that all parts of Britain will get 'value for money' from the Olympics, despite the multi-billion pound cost of staging the Games.



Mr Cameron said that the returns from the Games would come not only in terms of increasing spending, tourism and business opportunities - which he valued at £13 billion - but also in new infrastructure and inspiration for young people to get involved in sport.

Challenged over the cost of staging the Olympics, Mr Cameron told the BBC: 'I think we will get value for money as a country.



'The overall cost of the Games is £9 billion. It is a huge cost. We think it is under budget, we are going to be saving compared to that budget if everything goes to plan over the next few weeks.



'If you think about what we are going to gain as a country - I think £13 billion in economic benefits from the deals that are going to be done, the extra spending, the extra tourism and all the rest of it.

'The point I would make is about the legacy. There are two sorts of legacy - there's the physical infrastructure we will have forever.



'If you look at the aquatics centre, after the Olympics that is going to be used by 800,000 people every year, so it's a great bit of physical legacy.



'But the real legacy is the inspiration to young people who will want to take up sport, who will be inspired by the competitive ethos of the Olympics, who will see Britain at its best.



'There's also a huge legacy in terms of volunteering - I think it's been amazing that a quarter of a million British people came forward to be volunteers.



'About 80,000 of them will be volunteering... the volunteers are showing the very best face of Britain, the welcome they give, the enthusiasm they have.



'People are going to be coming to our country over the next few weeks and seeing a really inspiring sight. That's about a people's Olympics, not a Government Olympics.'



VIDEO: Go Boris! London Mayor attacks U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney as he issues Olympics rallying cry to 60,000 at Hyde Park