Cities Make Pitch for Hosting 2008 Olympics

M O S C O W, July 12, 2001 -- Smiling through questions about executions and human rights, Beijing officials made a polished pitch today for the 2008 Olympics, avoiding any last-minute blunders that could derail their candidacy.

At their final news conferences before the International OlympicCommittee chooses the 2008 host on Friday, all five bidding citiessought to project the message that they would put on the bestGames.

Paris promised a telegenic Olympics in the shadow of the EiffelTower. Toronto portrayed itself as the athletes' bid, with sportingvenues along its waterfront. Osaka, Japan, and Istanbul, Turkey, insistedthey were still in the running despite doubts expressed by Olympicinspectors.

All Eyes on Beijing

But on a day when two more anti-Chinese protesters were detainedwhile trying to hand out leaflets outside the IOC meeting complex,attention focused on Beijing, which has led the race for months.The news conference was one of the last hurdles for Chineseofficials keen to avoid any mistake that could turn IOC sentimentagainst them.

Would China — the world leader in executions — stop using thedeath penalty? Would a foreign tourist be arrested for protestingwith a Tibetan flag? Would reporters be allowed to work freely?

The responses to these and other tricky questions were deliveredin fluent English by relaxed officials who never came close tolosing their cool. They complimented reporters on their questionsand smiled almost constantly.

Wang Wei, secretary-general of the Beijing bid, noted that Chinais not the only nation to use the death penalty. Journalists,meanwhile, would have "complete freedom to report on anything" ifBeijing wins, he said.

As for protests, Wang said: "If you have a different opinionyou are welcome to voice it." But he also noted that Chinese lawrequires would-be demonstrators get police permission — which isalmost never given.

Wang repeated what has become a Beijing mantra in its race for2008 — that the Olympics would promote not just economicdevelopment in China, but human rights, too.

The world's most populous nation has never held the Games, so"a winning Beijing bid will make history," Wang said. "We arewell prepared and fully confident."

Others Insist They Are Still in the Running

Despite the momentum behind Beijing, Osaka's mayor, TakafumiIsomura, said he believed many IOC members wouldn't make theirchoice until after the five cities' final presentations Fridaybefore the vote.

The IOC officially opened its 112th general assembly tonight with a lavish opening ceremony at the Bolshoi Ballet,attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Juan Antonio Samaranch, leaving as IOC president, said in aspeech that that he felt "great emotion" as he finishes his termin the city where it started 21 years ago.

During the bid news conferences, Toronto faced questions aboutits mayor, Mel Lastman, who was forced to apologize last monthafter joking that he was reluctant to attend an Olympic meeting inAfrica because, "I just see myself in a pot of boiling water withall these natives dancing around me."

"Our mayor has apologized and we've moved on," said Canadianathlete Sandra Levy, who is black.

"We believe Olympic medals are given to the best of the best,and we believe our bid is the best of the best," said anotherCanadian, Marnie McBean.

Without criticizing Beijing, Parisian official Jean Paul Huchonsuggested that human rights concerns could affect Friday's outcome.

"Everyone is informed of the human rights situation in eachbidding country," Huchon said. "We consider our bid is in linewith what is desirable in human rights and this question cannot beout of the mind of those who have to take the final decision."

Istanbul, which is making its third attempt, refused to give uphope.

"Barcelona first bid in 1936 and they hosted the Games in 1992.You have to work for it,' said Sinan Erdem, president of theTurkish Olympic Committee.