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The 2008 Summer Olympic Games had ten cities submit preliminary applications to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Those ten cities must then pass an initial selection phase based on basic technical requirements. On August 28, 2000, five of those cities were selected by the IOC as official candidate cities. Those five cities are then authorized to go forward into a full bid process. The candidate cities chosen were Osaka, Japan; Paris; Toronto; Beijing, China; and Istanbul, Turkey.

The full bid process of the candidate cities includes a Candidature File to the IOC, followed by a visit to each city by the IOC Evaluation Commission. The IOC Evaluation Commission studies the candidature of each city, inspects sites and venues, and issues a written report to the IOC. The Evaluation Commission must submit this report two months prior to the session to elect the host city. This report includes population data, public support, government support, environmental concerns, security, transportation, economic conditions, and a plan of action for sites, venues and the Olympic Village. The 122 members of the IOC will then cast votes for the host city that is most deserving based on these reports.

On July 13, 2001, the original favorite and leading candidate city of Beijing, China was officially named the host city for The 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Despite human rights' concerns that had some of the world opposed to this selection the final vote wasn't even close with Beijing accumulating over half the votes. To view the entire process and obtain specific results visit: http://www.olympic.org/uk/game s/beijing/election_uk.asp.

The IOC has provided Beijing, China with a tremendous opportunity with the world as its audience. The 2008 Summer Olympic Games can be a catalyst for China to improve upon its negative worldly image. Will China seize the moment and use this platform to promote itself as truly wanting to join the world community? China takes the world stage while the community waits, watches, and passes judgment. Beijing is to be commended for earning the trust of the IOC and now more importantly for its attempts to earn the trust of the entire world community.

Learn more about this author, Daniel Reinard.
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