This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Britain's prime minister considers Salt Lake City "the middle of nowhere," a slight issued by David Cameron as he responded to Mitt Romney's criticism of the Olympic planning in London.
Romney, who is in London for the start of the Games, said he couldn't say the 2012 Games would be a success and questioned whether the British people would rally around the Olympics.
In an interview with NBC's Nightly News, Romney said: "There are a few things that were disconcerting: the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging."
Cameron didn't appreciate the comments from the Republican presidential candidate and said he planned to present a positive message when he met with Romney later on Wednesday.
"This is a time of some economic difficulty for the UK but look at what we are capable of achieving as nation even at a difficult economic time," Cameron said, according to The Telegraph of London. "We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it's easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere."
Matt CanhamTwitter: @mattcanham