Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 23, 1993 TAG: 9309230060
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MONTE CARLO, MONACO LENGTH: Medium
China's human rights record continued to be a central issue as the International Olympic Committee prepared for Thursday's secret ballot, a vote being watched closely around the world.
Despite controversy and criticism, Beijing appears to be the slight favorite.
Beijing's main rival is Sydney, Australia, while Manchester, England, is considered a possible compromise choice. Berlin and Istanbul, Turkey, are longshots.
Sydney is widely accepted as having the best technical bid, taking into account factors such as sports facilities, hotels, environmental protection and transport. An official IOC report said Sydney "offers conditions over and above what is required by the IOC."
But many IOC members could be won over by the symbolism and political impact of taking the Games to China, whose 1.2 billion people represent one-fifth of the world's population. Beijing officials noted that 300 million people would take part in the torch relay if China gets the Games.
"It's David vs. Goliath," said Kevan Gosper, an IOC vice president from Australia who serves on the Sydney bid committee. "The sheer immensity of China is the hardest element Beijing's competitors have to contend with."
The criticism of China's human rights record may not have a negative impact since some IOC members contend that awarding the Games to Beijing can serve as a catalyst for reform.
"If you really want to influence a change in the behavior of China, this is a way to do so," said Dick Pound, an executive board member from Canada.
Sydney and Manchester are considered safe, risk-free choices. Giving the Games to Beijing would entail numerous political risks, but the IOC may be willing to take the gamble.
"There's a risk but the reward is enormous," Pound said. "You've got seven years of foreign involvement in China, unrelenting media attention and a desire of China to make this venture, this rapprochement with the world, a success. It's a made-in-heaven opportunity."
Beijing's opponents, including members of the U.S. Congress, argue that China does not deserve the Games because of its human rights record. Awarding the Games to China, they say, would give a propaganda coup to a government that brutally suppressed the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement in 1989.
That view was echoed in Monte Carlo on Wednesday by British Environment Minister John Gummer, part of the Manchester delegation.
"The real issue is whether it is an incentive or a prize for improving the treatment of dissidents," Gummer said. "I am sure there will come a time when Beijing will be a very suitable host for the Olympic Games. I don't happen to think that it is the moment now."
Vice Premier Li Lanqing, the senior Chinese official with the almost 200-strong delegation, accused U.S. and British politicians of violating the Olympic spirit by opposing the bid on political grounds.
"I believe IOC members will not be influenced by such interference," Li said. "I am sure they make their own decisions."
Li said holding the Games in Beijing would promote international friendship and greater East-West cooperation.
Thursday's decision lies in the hands of 89 IOC members, men and women from 75 countries, most of whom have visited all the cities. An overall majority of 45 votes will be needed for victory. If there is no winner in the first ballot, the city receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated after each round.
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by CNB