Sport

Australia backs Chinese bid

13 April 2012

Australia, who hosted last year's Summer Olympics, today pledged their support to China if Beijing is chosen to host the 2008 Games.

Prime Minister John Howard said Beijing, favoured to win the International Olympic Committee vote on Friday, had a strong claim to the event as it was the capital of the world's largest nation.

Sydney beat Beijing for the 2000 Games with memories of the Tiananmen Square massacre helping to derail the Chinese bid.

This time Beijing has faced opposition from groups supporting Chinese-occupied Tibet.

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Beijing
China
International Olympic Committee - IOC
Tiananmen Square