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.