Olympics: China promises world media ‘complete freedom’

China is promising the world media that it will have ‘complete freedom’ to

cover the 2008 Olympics if it is picked as host nation later today.

The International Olympic Committee is meeting in Moscow to decide which city

should host the games. Despite China’s human rights record Beijing remains

the favourite.

Fresh protests are expected on the streets of Moscow in advance of the decision.

It is not the first time that Beijing has made it onto the short list. It lost out by just two votes to Sydney in the race to hold the 2000 games.

Although the Chinese capital is listed as favourite it is facing strong

competition from Toronto and Paris, which has been using the human rights

card in its final push for votes.

Istanbul and Osaka are also contenders - but this morning are being ranked

as outsiders as intense lobbying continues.