London 2012 Olympics to cost 9.3 billion pounds

LONDON (Reuters) - The budget for the 2012 London Olympics will total 9.325 billion pounds ($18 billion), according to figures published by the British government on Thursday.

Central government will pay 4.93 billion pounds -- in addition to 1 billion pounds already committed -- to pay for the games and regeneration of the surrounding area.

The rest of the money will come from the national lottery and London taxpayers, the budget said.