Beijing clinches 2008 Olympics

There is jubilation in China as the International Olympic Committee decides that Beijing will host the 2008 Olympics. It beat competition from four contenders: Istanbul, Osaka, Toronto and Paris.

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The announcement

Olympic president Juan Antonio Samaranch

Beijing had lost the race for the 2000 Games by just two votes to Sydney - but there were no such dramas this time round. It polled 56 votes, defeating Toronto (22), Paris (18) and Istanbul (9). The announcement, read out by outgoing Olympic president Juan Antonio Samaranch, was greeted with scenes of jubilation from the Chinese delegation in Moscow, and with fireworks in Beijing itself.

 Adam Brookes reports from Beijing

 David Eades reports from the IOC meeting in Moscow

 Click here to watch a special programme from BBC World/News 24 in full

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Joy in Beijing

Celebrations in Beijing at the announcement

Despite criticism of its record on human rights, Beijing had been the front runner in the race from the start. The first reaction to China's victory came from the International Amateur Athletic Foundation, who welcomed the decision, saying "now 1.3 billion people will feel completely integrated into the world sports movement."

 Members of the Chinese Olympic delegation react to their victory

 The BBC's Adam Brookes in Beijing says there are extraordinary scenes of celebration

 The Guardian's Olympics correspondent Duncan Mackay says the Beijing delegation was not asked one question about human rights

 Free Tibet Director Alison Reynolds: "The Chinese government did not deserve these games"

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Disappointment in Toronto

Lobbying support for the Toronto bid

Conceding defeat, Toronto's bid chief Paul Henderson said: "We did a great job but the odds were against us. "We knew Beijing had a lot of strengths, it was theirs all along. "We were fighting an uphill battle. I think Beijing had to make a major mistake and they didn't."

 The BBC's Jane Standley in Toronto says there is great disappointment in Canada but they are 'good losers'

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