Beijing wins Olympics for China
Beijing was awarded the 2008 Olympics on Friday when the International Olympic Committee voted to take the Games to the world's most populous country for the first time.
The Chinese capital, which lost out by just two votes to Sydney in the race to stage the 2000 Games, defeated Paris, Toronto, Istanbul and Osaka.
IOC members voted in favour of Beijing despite international concern at China's human rights record.
The result was announced by IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch who is standing down after 21 years at the helm of the world's leading sports organisation.
Mail Cricket Editor
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