Beijing Will Host 2008 Olympics

The world's most populous country will host the Olympics for the first time.

Beijing has been awarded the 2008 Summer Games following a vote by the International Olympic Committee in Moscow.

Beijing had been the front-runner on a list of contenders that also included Paris, Toronto, Istanbul and Osaka, Japan.

Beijing won on the second round of a secret ballot, receiving 56 votes.

Toronto had 22 votes, Paris had 18, and Istanbul had nine. Osaka was eliminated in the first round of voting, with six votes.

After the International Olympic Committee awarded the games to Beijing, thousands of people who were gathered at an official ceremony there erupted into cheers.

Fireworks and green lasers lighted the night sky and lion dancers joined ballerinas, and the crowd shouted "Beijing! Beijing!" Many began singing the Chinese national anthem. Some waved Chinese flags and beat drums.

Members of the Beijing bid committee seated at the foot of a red-draped stage jumped with joy and slapped each other on the back.

Despite criticism of China's human rights record, Beijing was the leading contender throughout the race.

The five cities in the running were making their final presentations Friday morning at the IOC meeting in Moscow.

With 1.3 billion people, China is the world's most populous nation but has never hosted the Olympics. Brushing aside human rights concerns, Chinese Olympic officials have presented their country as well-prepared and confident.

Russian police Monday quickly broke up protests by two groups opposed to Beijing's bid, including a new freedom organization. Six people have been detained and others have been warned not to come back.

U.S. Reaction

The selection of Beijing to host the 2008 Summer Olympics is running into heavy criticism in the United States.

California Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher compares today's selection to the decision more than 60 years ago to award the Olympics to Nazi Germany.

He says the games didn't improve human rights in Germany then -- and they won't improve them in China now.

Fellow California Republican Christopher Smith says the decision sends a dangerous message that China can continue to violate human rights without any consequences.

And Congressman Tom Lantos is calling it an "absolute outrage." He adds "it truly boggles the mind."

The California Democrat had introduced a bill opposing China's bid. IOC officials hope the Olympics will open China up to the world and speed reforms.

The Bush administration is maintaining its neutral position on the selection of the host city for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Soon after the announcement that Beijing was the choice, reporters asked for comment from President Bush's national security adviser.

But all Condoleezza Rice would say is that was a decision by the International Olympic Committee.

Rice says one thing she does know is that the United States will be sending athletes to compete -- and she adds they'll "compete very well and bring home lots of gold medals."

President Bush will be visiting Shanghai to attend an Asia-Pacific summit later this year. Rice says the United States intends to continue to press China to improve its record on human rights.

The Contenders

Quotes from the IOC Web site

Beijing
Population: 12 million

"This is a government-driven bid with considerable assistance of the NOC [National Olympic Committee]. The combination of a good sports concept with complete government support results in a high quality bid.

The commission notes the process and pace of change taking place in China and Beijing and the possible challenges caused by population and economic growth in the period leading up to 2008 but is confident that these challenges can be met.

There is an environmental challenge but the strong government actions and investment in this area should resolve this and improve the city.

It is the commission's belief that a Beijing Games would leave a unique legacy to China and to sport and the Commission is confident that Beijing could organize an excellent Games."

Osaka
Population: 2.6 million
"This is a city-driven bid. A combination of excellent venues and a proven ability within the country to organize major multi-sport events would provide a good basis for the hosting of an Olympic Games. Potential transport congestion is a consideration. Concerns exist about the financial implications for the city of the scale of the infrastructure and games project, making delivery of the Games plans more difficult.

The commission is not confident that this issue could be satisfactorily addressed."

Paris
Population: 2 million

"This is a city and NOC [National Olympic Committee] bid with strong government support. The use of existing facilities mainly in the center of one of the world's most recognized cities presents the Olympic movement with an attractive option. New facilities and an innovative approach to some temporary facilities enhance the project.

Paris, having chosen a theme of 'Games within a City' is faced with a complex urban Olympic Village site. While the commission is aware that there are several elements of the village planning to be resolved, it is confident that this would be achieved and that Paris would stage an excellent games."

Toronto
Population: 2 million

"The bid is driven by the NOC [National Olympic Committee] and all levels of government, which offer strong support. It also contains a large element of private sector involvement.

The compact sports concept based on a unique site adjacent to the city center with good transport links and a legacy to sport make the bid very attractive. The major challenge is the capacity of the combined private sector and government alliance to deliver the Waterfront sports venues and village developments. However, the commission is confident that this could be achieved and that Toronto would stage an excellent games."

Istanbul
Population: 11 million

"This is a bid driven by the NOC [National Olympic Committee] and based on the country's unique Olympic Law which provides finance for the development of sport and facilities, particularly in Istanbul.

The commission believes that there are uncertainties regarding the overall status and projections of games finance. The time lines and costs for all necessary transport infrastructure could be difficult to achieve and these would be essential for the conduct of a successful games. The situation is not helped by the current economic conditions.

Despite the presence of some major new facilities, the commission is not confident that the complex planning required for a games has been fully addressed."

Previous Stories:

• July 12, 2001: 2008 Olympic City To Be Named Friday
• July 12, 2001: China's Olympic Bid
• July 9, 2001: Toronto Awaits IOC Decision On Olympic Bid

Additional Resources:

• Follow the vote live at the Moscow 2001 Web site.
• Five Candidate Cities.

Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press, which contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.