Britain's Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip welcomed members of the International Olympic Committee to Buckingham Palace on Monday.
[Elizabeth II, Queen of England]:
"Members of the International Olympic Committee, Prince Philip and I are delighted to welcome you here ot mark the occasion of the 30th Olympiad, the London 2012 Games."
The royal couple chatted with IOC President Jacques Rogge inside the palace before welcoming other guests.
Later in the afternoon, the Queen made a speech welcoming the IOC to London.
London is the first city to host the Olympic Games for the third time -- the 1908 and 1948 Games were also held there.
Rogge responded to the Queen's speech and thanked Britain for her contribution to the world of sports.
[Jacques Rogge, International Olympics Committee President]:
"Thank you so much, Your Majesties, for your very kind words and thank you also for the great hospitality we are experiencing here in Buckingham Palace and also in Great Britain. The world of sport is very much indebted to Great Britain who, as a first nation, invented modern sport in the latter half of the 19th century."
After his speech, Rogge presented the Queen with Olympic medals and she seemed surprised how heavy they were.
The opening ceremony for the London 2012 Games will be held on Friday.
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