Olympian pursuits

Beijing 2008 will cost the Chinese over US$14bn

As Olympians look forward to Beijing 2008 and the International Olympic Committee debates who will be its next boss, we discuss the Olympic spirit.

Is it about pure competition or is it fatally tainted by the big business, drugs and sleaze allegations of the past?

We've got a few past and present Olympic players here to discuss the whole shebang: Craig Reedie was one of the IOC members who took part in Friday's vote for the 2008 venue;l one of the two from the UK.

We're joined by the award-winning journalist Andrew Jennings is an award-winning journalist who's spent years investigating the IOC - and written two books on the subject, "The New Lords of the Rings: Olympic Corruption and How to Buy Gold Medals" and "The Great Olympic Swindle."

Kris Akabusi was an Olympic medalist on the track, as well as a winner at many other major events including Gold at the 1990 European Championships in the 400 metres hurdles.