French President Jacques Chirac on Wednesday wished "good luck" to the British after London won the right to host the 2012 Olympics, said a statement released by his office.

"The head of state hails London that will have the honor to stage the Olympics in 2012. He wishes good luck and whole success to British Authorities and people in the organization of the 30th Olympics," it said.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge announced Wednesday in Singapore that London was elected hosting city, beating its arch-rival Paris in a dramatic finale.

Chirac who went defending Paris bid in Singapore, heard the news on the flight taking him to Gleneagles, Scotland, where the summit of the Group of eight most industrialized countries is to be held on July 6-8. He had talks on board with Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, according to Chirac's office.

London will become the first city to stage the Olympics for a third time after holding them in 1908 and 1948, while Paris has now failed with three successive bids for the Games of 1992, 2008 and 2012.

Source: Xinhua