Romney backtracks: ‘London is ready’

>> after a rocky start, mitt romney continued his visit here in london today trying to right the ship after he questioned the city's preparedness for the games. during our interview with him, which drew the full on heat of the british press, the prime minister, and members of the british public. peter alexander covering the romney campaign is with us from just outside olympic stadium where the romneys are among those taking in tonight's opening ceremony . peter good evening.

>> reporter: brian good evening to you. for mitt romney attending these games was intended to show case his strength as a problem solver. he helped turn around the 2002 olympics in salt lake city . instead, he is now trying to resolve an international stir of his own making. with much of london stuck in a preolympic lockdown today mitt romney like thousands of others here had to abandon his ride and walk to his meeting with ireland's leader.

>> i enjoyed the walk.

>> you also had to walk.

>> yes. we're used to walking in ireland.

>> reporter: but after waking up to another round of harsh british headlines attacking his critique of london 's preparation romney told matt lauer he now believes the city can deliver.

>> but after being here a couple of days it looks to me like london is ready and, of course, it is hard to put on games in a major metropolitan area . what they've done that i find so impressive is they took the venues and put them right in the city.

>> reporter: and he tried to dismiss any controversy.

>> in just a few moments, all the things politicians say will get swept away because the athletes finally take the stage. the games are about the athletes.

>> reporter: romney supporters insist his foreign faux pas is being overblown.

>> i think this olympic comment is the tempest in the tea pot . what is going to be remembered is it's going to be a great olympics.

>> reporter: romney 's next stop, israel, where he hopes his visit will help close the gap among jewish voters back home. among his scheduled meetings long-time personal friend prime minister benjamin netanyahu but in a move that appeared to be trying to upstage romney 's trip today president obama signed a bill expanding military and civilian cooperation with israel. back here, romney weighed in on the all american rivalry between swimmers michael phelps and ryan lochte .

>> i think it's more likely to be phelps but i don't know.

>> reporter: still tonight even british olympic organizers here having a little fun at mitt romney 's expense, brian. when asked today who would be lighting the cauldron at the opening ceremony the head of the london games jokingly responded, mitt romney .

>> peter alexander over at the olympic village for us tonight. peter, thanks.