2008 Olympic City To Be Named Friday
Beijing Still Leads Competition
MOSCOW, 7:16 p.m. EDT July 12, 2001 -- The International Olympic Committee sees itself as a force that can change the world. It's about to decide whether that force is worth a great risk -- and perhaps an even greater reward.
The capital of the world's most populous nation and one of the final totalitarian strongholds of communism has been in front for months, leaving competitors from Paris, Toronto, Istanbul and Osaka searching for ways to get ahead. So far, it seems they haven't found one,
To vote for Beijing, IOC members must ignore calls from human rights groups and members of Congress who argue that sending the games to China would reward a repressive regime that regularly imprisons and executes citizens and is holding American scholars for doing no more than living their lives.
On Wednesday, protesters for a free Tibet gathered across the Moscow River from the trade center where the IOC is meeting. They unfurled a large banner featuring bullet holes in the place of the five Olympic rings before riot police broke up the demonstration and detained at least eight people.
As IOC members met Thursday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the Olympic ideals of "peaceful, honest competition," two more anti-Beijing activists were detained by police for trying to hand out leaflets at the IOC press center. An Associated Press photographer who was detained in Wednesday's demonstration, Maxim Marmur, was released on personal recognizance.
But the lure of Beijing is strong.
The bid is solid, sharing the top ranking with Paris and Toronto in the IOC's own technical evaluation. China is a nation of sports fanatics and has been a loyal member of the Olympic community since emerging from isolation almost three decades ago, ignoring the Soviet-led boycott of the 1984 Games in Los Angeles and moving up the medal charts ever since.
And there are two big plusses tailor-made for IOC minds -- taking part in economic and democratic reforms that already are under way, and busting open the world's biggest market with its corporate sponsors.
Eight years ago, with the bloody memories of Tiananmen Square still fresh, the IOC passed on that chance, choosing to go to Sydney for the 2000 Games. Beijing led every round until the last, when Sydney won by two votes.
If the IOC again gets cold feet about Beijing, it can turn to one of two other exceptional bids that in most campaigns would be virtual locks -- Toronto, which stresses a compact layout; and Paris, with good facilities, recent organization experience and unmatched romance.
Istanbul and Osaka have stayed in the race, but have little chance following evaluations that left them several degrees below the other three in virtually all areas.
The Contenders
Quotes from the IOC Web site
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."
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."
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."
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