Olympic decision due today
The world is waiting to see if the International Olympic Committee, the OCI,
will defy the protests of human rights campaigners and allow Beijing to host
the 2008 games.
The committee is meeting in Moscow and an announcement is expected at 3.30pm Irish time this afternoon. China is the favourite to be named as host nation, although there is also strong competition from Toronto, Osaka and Paris.
Protesters have been on the streets of Moscow ahead of the decision. They
have been handing out leaflets denouncing China’s human rights record. At
one stage protesters unfolded a flag with bullet holes in place of the five
Olympic rings.
The outgoing president of the Olympic movement Juan Antonio Samaranch
favours the Chinese capital. Supporters of China’s bid say given the country
the games would remove barriers and could lead to improvements in human
rights and press freedom.
