Archbishop Desmond Tutu today embraced the Olympics during a visit to the 2012 Park in East London. The South African priest said the Games will be a fantastic celebration of many different communities and cultures and bring everyone together.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu today embraced the Olympics during a visit to the 2012 Park in East London.

The South African priest said the Games will be a "fantastic celebration" of many different communities and cultures and "bring everyone together".

The seventy-eight-old brought a ray of sun shine to the park on a grey and cloudy day as he greeted workers, Games organisers and school children from the five host boroughs, including Tower Hamlets.

He said: "It is very exciting today to see how the Games are a catalyst for change in this part of London and how they will deliver a lasting social, economic and sporting legacy.

"As a South African, I know how much sport can help bring different people and nations together. I feel strongly that the London 2012 Games will be a fantastic celebration of the many different communities and cultures which exist in London and the rest of the UK and will bring everyone together."

The Archbishop, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his role as a unifying leader figure in the campaign against apartheid in South Africa, is in London to deliver a speech on the importance of inclusion and diversity and London 2012's legacy.