British officials say they'll show Romney and others they are ready

Military personnel walk from the Olympic Park
Military personnel walk from the Olympic Park on July 13, 2012 in London, England. An extra 3500 soldiers are to be deployed to guard the London 2012 Olympic Games after private security contactor G4S failed to recruit enough personnel.
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

LONDON (AP) -- London's mayor is taking a swipe at Mitt Romney's suggestion that Britain might not be ready to host the Olympics that officially begin tomorrow.

As the Olympic torch finished its lap around London in Hyde Park, Mayor Boris Johnson told the screaming crowd, "There's a guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know if we are ready." Johnson asked, "Are we ready? Yes we are!"

Romney yesterday had told NBC that it was unclear whether the issues that have plagued the final preparations could be overcome. But after meeting today with Britain's prime minister, Romney backed off his earlier comment, and said he thinks the games will be "highly successful."

Romney led the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, and used the games to launch his political career.

Prime Minister David Cameron today offered his own blunt retort to Romney and to other doubters, saying they will see "beyond doubt that Britain can deliver."

Romney visited today with Cameron and other British political leaders as part of an effort to show he has what it takes to represent the U.S. on the world stage. He will also visit Israel and Poland in the coming days.

His talks today with Cameron dealt not just with the Olympics, but also with alliances in Afghanistan, Syria and elsewhere.

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