Moynihan told the Chinese Government news agency Xinhua: "I think what we saw in the 20th century, with one or two exceptions like so, was what I called a Europe-centric, either an American or European, Games.

 

"What [Jacques] Rogge [the International Olympic Committee President] has decided to do is to internationalise the Games, and that is why it's so important the Games is coming to Beijing."

 

Moynihan said that it was important that the Olympics were soon held in Africa or India but that cost was a major factor.

 

He said: "I think the IOC need to think carefully about how they can widen the appeal [of the Games] to more cities.

 

"Somehow seek to reduce the cost that is so heavy, which can only be borne by really a very few cities in the world.

 

"These are the challenges that need to be faced.

 

"How you internationalise it; how you encourage more cities to be involved."

 

Moynihan also said that the cost of London's Olympics would be considerably less than the estimated £20 billion that the Chinese have spent on preparing for these Games, claiming that it would not go beyond the £9.3 billion that the Government announced in March.

 

He said: "Beijing's budget is significantly bigger than that.

 

"I would be completely honest that we don't have the money to match the quality of many of the facilities in Beijing.

 

"Look at the Bird's Nest [Stadium], it is an amazing building.

 

"Look at theVillage, it is probably the best Olympic Village in the history of the Olympic Games."

 

But Moynihan said that London could pick up plenty of lessons from Beijing.

 

He said: "I could write a book of 600 pages of things that we could learn from Beijing.

 

"The people of BOCOG and the Beijing Government are being very friendly and very welcoming.

 

"They have allowed us to work alongside them in the whole of this process, understand how they are preparing for the Games, and how they would deliver the Games.

 

"Their professionalism is being something which we very highly valued.

 

"I am sure the enthusiasm of the Chinese people will radiate through and I think the enthusiasm of the people of London will be the similar level of excitement in 2012.

 

"But it is a major challenge and a very big task, and that is why we are working so hard at the moment.

 

"So, of course, it is understandable as it has a wide reaching impact on Beijing.

 

"It will have a wide reaching impact on London."

 

Moynihan also said that some of the controversy surrounding these Games were to be expected.

 

He said: "Every Olympic Games has an issue.

 

"In Athens, the issue was would the facilities be finished on time?

 

"Would the security of the facilities be strong enough?

 

"Here everything was finished ahead of time.

 

"The qualities of the facilities are magnificent.

 

"The athletes who have arrived at the Olympic Village are stunned by how outstanding it is.

 

"I am sure BOCOG will put on a great Games,

 

"But it would be impossible for everything to be perfect.

 

"We are all human beings and, in this case, the challenge of pollution is a significant one, one that the Government, BOCOG and the IOC are doing everything they can to mitigate."