Following the huge success of those Games, London is set to host a number of other major international sporting events, including the Rugby Union World Cup in 2015, the International Cycling Union's Track World Championships in 2016 and the World Athletics Championships in 2017.

London is also home to next year's EuroHockey Championships, the European Swimming Championships and the International Canoeing Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships.

The city picked up three other category awards during this year's competition, run by SportsBusiness International in association with SportAccord International Convention - best hosting, best marketing and branding and best public sports interest.

Following the success of London 2012, the city has earned the right to host a number of major international sports events across a range of sports ©Getty Images



"A lot of us that were involved in hosting weren't just about hosting an event, we were about making the most of it for London both domestically and internationally," said Iain Edmonson, head of major events at London and Partners.

"There's been an awful lot of work backing the words that we say about legacy and that's putting our money where our mouth is.

"We have a Mayor who is prepared to walk the talk as we say, perhaps more often than not cycle the talk."

Auckland was another big winner in today's awards, taking four titles for best medium sized sports city, best legacy, best security and best home-grown event with the Auckland National Rugby League Nines.

Other winners include New York City, for best extra large sized sports city, Melbourne, for best large sized sports city, and Calgary for best small sized city.

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