Here are some of the facts gleaned from various newspaper sources.

Beijing

Why they would get the Olympics (not should, mind you).
- China has never had the Olympics. They lost by a mere two votes for the Sydney Olympics, and so far, it appears that lightning won't strike twice.
- People are suggesting that the Olympics would either promote human rights, or expose the Chinese Government's human rights record (also known as Backfiring), thus precipitating a big embarassment and repercussions to come.
- Beijing's plan for the Olympics is more solid than Toronto's. With actual Hard Cash to back it up.
- An intensive plan to clean up the environment.
- It has lots of support from World Figures. More than you think.

Why they would not get the Olympics.
- Tienammen Square.
- Tibet.
- Falun Gong.
- Human Rights Record. Nuff said.
- With lots of pollution in Beijing, cleaning up will be a Herculean task.

Toronto

Why they would get the Olympics.
- A very sound Olympic Plan. Just as good as Beijing. (but with a big if)
- Commitment from all three levels from government, including some Private Sector sources. (but with a big if)
- Commitment to clean up the Port Lands and turn them into an Olympic Bonanza. (also with a big if)
- Multicultural city, perfect setting for a multicultural Olympics.
- Unfortunately for China, the people who oppose Beijing's bid for the Olympics live here.
- Human Rights. Nuff Said.
- Like Beijing, Toronto lost the '96 Olympics to Atlanta by a narrow margin. Someone's gonna get hit by Lightning twice.
- More World Class than Beijing.
- Currently trying to shore up its environmental image.

Why they would not get the Olympics.
- The Only Canadian Representative on the IOC wants to vote for Beijing.
- The "BIG IF": Money will only come if AND ONLY IF Toronto wins. If no go, no dough. (The IOC would really like it if the plans for the Port Lands proceed, with or without the Olympics.) And even if they do win, money does not appear "guaranteed", given the provincial government's broken promises on investment projects.
- Mayor Lastman really screwed things up on a trip to Kenya thinking that he would be in a pot of water with all those dancing indians around him, an obvious racial slur. He has apologized about 200 times since, but as they say "Loose Lips Sink Ships", and perhaps the Olympics.
- Premier Mike Harris (neo-conservative right-wing politician). Is only interested in taking money that Toronto earns, not reinvesting it. To him, the Olympics means a pot of gold, not international glory. He is even considering cutting on his intended share, and letting the city and the Federal government pick up the rest.
- Montreal had the Olympics in 1976 and made such a mess out of it that Taxpayers are still paying its bills today. That's right, it created a great big money-swallowing pit. And most don't want the same thing to happen to Toronto.
- Canada has hosted the Olympics twice, in Montreal in 1976, and Calgary in Winter, 1988.

So who will win? Place your bets, people.

[ July 10, 2001: Message edited by: Tahna Los ]

Or ...

As for China, their human rights record doesn't speak too well for them. The Olympics should go to a place that welcomes, as well as respects the world.

When it comes to Tianammen Square, Falun Gong, and Tibet, China provides no such respect whatsoever.

But the awarding of the Olympics is more about politics than anything else. I myself wouldn't be surprised if Beijing gets the Olympics.

You get the idea. All the way back, past Moscow, via Hitler's Berlin in 1936.

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Originally posted by Ritten:
A bonus for China is the size of the security force that they can have..... 1,200,000,000 people would keep nap-sacks with bombs in them from laying around.....

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