In pictures: Beijing awaits

Beijing is eagerly waiting to find out whether it has won the right to host the Olympic Games in 2008.

The Chinese press has told people to wait calmly, but added there would be no sleep in the capital - thousands will watch the results live in the city centre.

The International Olympic Committee reveals its decision in Moscow at 1430GMT.

Large murals have sprung up all over the city...

... but daily life goes on

Olympic rings are everywhere to be seen

Beijing said it would give foreign journalists complete freedom to report during the games

Demonstrations by Tibetan activists in Moscow this week have had drawn attention to the human rights issue

The Society for Swiss-Tibetan Friendship earlier released a poster to highlight Tibet's plight in the light of Beijing's bid

Many observers say the human rights issue was the reason Beijing lost its 2000 games bid against Sydney