Pinsent hits out at Beijing decision

Pinsent says the choice of Beijing is a shocking decision

Triple Olympic champion Matthew Pinsent has condemned the choice of Beijing as host for the 2008 Games.

The British rower described the decision to take the Olympics to China as "shocking", in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.

Accusing the International Olympic Committee of mixing politics with sport, Pinsent was outspoken in his criticism of the selection process.

I think it's the wrong way round between carrot and stick

Matthew Pinsent

"Compared to Toronto or Paris, I think it's a shocking decision for a number of reasons," said Pinsent.

"Purely from the athletes' point of view I think it was the wrong decision but we all know it wasn't chosen for that.

"The Chinese will look to make the most out of it as they possibly can politically but I think it's the wrong way round between carrot and stick."

Drug testing

Pinsent could potentially be aiming to emulate Sir Steven Redgrave and win a fifth Olympic gold in 2008 but he made it clear he is not looking forward to the prospect of competing in China.

"I think with human rights and more importantly from the sporting point of view, their sporting record, you've got to be saying we will give you the games if you do this," he said.

"We will give you the games if you clean up your drug testing or your drugs record and the IOC patently haven't done that.

Beijing will always have a battle culturally to break down those barriers

Matthew Pinsent

"They've said 'here are the Games and we hope you will'. That's the cart before the horse."

Despite his concerns Pinsent has no doubt the Games will run smoothly but insists good organisation does not guarantee a successful event.

"It will be a good Games technically but Atlanta was a good Games technically," said Pinsent.

"The venues were probably the best Olympic venues I've had but there was something missing between the venues and the village and the spirit.

"I think Beijing will always have a battle culturally to break down those barriers."