Your Majesty, last year Jordan managed to break the impasse in the peace process by hosting the Amman talks, bringing Israelis and Palestinians together at the negotiating table.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Holds a Press Conference with King Abdullah II of Jordan | The White House

The London 2012 bid argued that hosting the Olympics - and in the process winning lots of medals - would boost sporting participation.

BBC: London 2012: 10 reasons some people will dread the Olympics