Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney met with Ireland’s Prime Minister Enda Kenny at the Irish Embassy in London on Friday.

Both men are attending the Olympics. Romney was delayed in traffic going to the meeting and walked the last half of the journey.

The men met after Romney's foreign policy advisor Mitchell Reiss, former US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, requested the meeting.

The Irish Times reported that Kenny pointed out that Ireland’s role will be even greater in Europe for the six months of 2013 when they will hold the EU presidency.

The men also discussed US/Irish relationships.

Later Kenny visited Irish athletes at the games and praised the British preparations.

“It will prove to be an outstanding Olympics,” he said.

“I wish the people of London and of Britain very well in this. I know that they will make the athletes from all over the world exceptionally welcome. I hope that the weather will be kind and suitable. I hope that there are some outstanding events and that off the last bend we’ll see the green singlet come through in whatever sport on a number of occasions.”

“For me, as someone who is interested in sport anyway, for these athletes to put on an Irish singlet must be a pinnacle of their sporting careers. And to compete to win offers the possibility of making a dream come true. I wish them the very best of behalf of the people of our country. They’ll do us proud,” he went on.

“In many ways, this is not unlike politics. You have to believe in yourself and you have to have a sense of conviction and courage,” he added.