Boris Becker throws support behind Wimbledon

Three-times Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has thrown his support behind London's bid to stage the 2012 Olympic Games.

London is vying with Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow to win the 2012 Games and the winner will be announced on July 6 at the International Olympic Committee's session in Singapore.

Were London to win the Games, Wimbledon would host the tennis event.

"I had the pleasure of competing at the Olympic Games and at Wimbledon and was fortunate enough to win the gold medal in both events," Becker said. "Being there, I know from firsthand that both are fantastic events, and I'm sure Wimbledon will host an incredible Olympic tennis tournament.

"I'm a world traveller, and I love being in Paris, I love being in Moscow and so forth. It's just professional-wise and tennis-wise, this particular city, particularly Wimbledon, is obviously very close to my heart.

"I call this my second birthplace 20 years ago. I'm a big supporter of Wimbledon, and I'm sure that this tennis tournament here at the All England Club would be spectacular."

Becker's endorsement follows news earlier this week that Russia's Marat Safin has joined Wimbledon women's champion Maria Sharapova in becoming an ambassador for Moscow's bid.