Olympic inspectors were "very impressed" with London's plans to host the 2012 Games.

At the end of their four-day visit, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) praised the passion for the bid among the British team and public.

"We could feel it, hear it and see it," said evaluation commission chair Nawal El Moutawakel at a press conference on Saturday. "It was in every speech and every word."

The 13-member delegation applauded the strong backing from government and the Queen, who hosted them for a Royal dinner at Buckingham Palace on Friday night.

"We were very pleased to meet with The Queen, who expressed her full support for the bid of London 2012," Ms El Moutawakel said.

Their meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair, opposition leader Michael Howard and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy at 10 Downing Street on Friday also went down well.

"We were very pleased to see the high level of Government commitment from all major political parties," she added.

Moroccan Ms El Moutawakel, whose 1984 gold in the 400m hurdles was the first Olympic medal for a woman from an Islamic nation, highlighted the involvement of athletes in the bid.

"Athletes are at the heart of the Olympic movement, and to see them fully-involved, fully-integrated and making a commitment is important," she said.

"The commission has been very impressed with the level of involvement of distinguished athletes in London's bid. Tanni Grey-Thompson, Daley Thompson, Bobby Charlton... the list is long.

"All these athletes have been consulted and very heavily involved in the planning of these Games."

The inspectors will present their findings on the five candidate cities, which also include Paris, Madrid and Moscow, about a month before the IOC announces the 2012 host city on July 6.

Ms El Moutawakel commended the London 2012 team for a high quality bid and presentations, and the professional leadership of "a great Olympian, and a good friend", Lord Sebastian Coe.

The visit was "very productive", she added. "We asked honest questions and got honest answers."

The bid team agreed. London 2012 chief executive Keith Mills said: "I can best describe this week as mission accomplished.

"We set out to achieve four things: technical superiority, organisational ability, a great welcome in London, and to show the IOC a great team. I think we accomplished that."

Lord Coe added: "We have done everything that was humanly possible to show to this city, its people, our concept and our legacy to the very best effect."

In his closing speech to the IOC, the double Olympic champion said a London Games would transform lives. "In our success lies promise; promise of a renewed nation through sport, a renewed (Olympic) movement through London; a soaring human spirit."

He repeated his promise to deliver the greatest Olympic Games ever.

"We will not disappoint you. We will not let you down."

Yesterday 40 schoolchildren waved off the IOC when they left Heathrow Airport. The commission will next visit New York for a similar inspection.

Sailing gold medalist Shirley Robertson said the week has brought the bid to life for her.

"I started my week in Weymouth, where they were so excited - the harbour was full of schoolchildren racing, with the one ambition of competing in a home Games in 2012.

"This is not just about us in suits and not just about sport. The whole of London this week has thought 'this is really great'. We can't wait for it to happen."