Olympics: China prepares to celebrate

Confident authorities in Beijing are preparing to celebrate once the host

city for the 2008 Olympics is announced at 3.30pm Irish time this afternoon.

Giant screens have been erected in the city centre to beam the announcement

live while the Olympic colours are decorating many buildings.

Security at some public buildings has been stepped up amid fears of human rights demonstrations. China is giving a commitment that world media covering the games would be allowed to operate freely.

Beijing remains the hot favourite to be hosting the Olympic torch in 2008

ahead of the announcement from the International Olympic Committee in

Moscow.

Authorities there did arrest six protesters earlier today as they attempted to erect banners.

China does face some competition from Paris and Toronto, although it is

thought that French hopes will be dashed because Olympic chiefs won’t agree

to hold consecutive games in Europe, the 2004 event is in Athens.