Paris, Toronto and Beijing were rated clearly ahead of Istanbul and Osaka by the IOC's Evaluation Commission. "There are three cities with only minor deficiencies which would be easy to solve for 2008 ? all three are more or less at the same level," commission head Hein Verbruggen told a news conference.
The commission's report did not directly address the controversial issue of human rights in China because the job of the IOC Evaluation Commission is to focus on the technical aspects of a bid such as plans for sports facilities, transportation, accommodation and environmental protection.
Said the report: "It is the commission's belief that a Beijing Games would leave a unique legacy to China and to sport and the commission is confident that Beijing could organise an excellent Games."
The report also praised Toronto's bid but said it was concerned about Paris because of traffic congestion in the city.
Osaka's problems centred around potential transport congestion and concerns about the financial implications for the city of staging The Games and its ability to deliver on its plans.
On Istanbul, the commission said it believed there were "uncertainties regarding the overall status and projections of Games finance. The timelines and cost for all necessary transport infrastructure could be difficult to achieve and these would be essential for the conduct of a successful Games. This situation is not helped by the current economic conditions.?
The IOC takes a final vote on the 2008 venue on July 13 in Moscow.
The International Olympic Committee said today that Beijing has assembled a high quality bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.
