Nanjing wins Youth Olympics but what about media access?

By Sportsbeat staff, in Vancouver

NANJING has won the race to host the 2014 Youth Olympic Games - but question marks over the freedom of media access remain.

WINNING CITY: Nanjing will host the 2014 Youth Olympic Games - but freedom of media access remains in doubt, with IOC executive director Gilbert Felli making no firm promises (Getty Images)

Just six years after Beijing hosted the main event, the International Olympic Committee's membership again trusted their brand to China as Nanjing edged out the Polish city of Poznan by 47 votes to 42 at the IOC's 122nd session in Vancouver.

They will follow Singapore, who will host this year's inaugural event for athletes aged between 15 and 18.

However, IOC executive director Gilbert Felli confirmed the demands for media freedoms, including unrestricted access to the internet, that caused such controversy in the build up to the 2008 Olympic Games, will not apply.

Beijing officials clashed with the IOC in the build-up to the 2008 Olympics after the international media were initially censored from accessing certain websites critical of the Chinese regime, despite promises to the contrary.

"This event is not at the same level as we expect for the Olympic Games, we are there for the Youth Olympic Games and we are there for the youth," said Felli.

"We don't know how many media we will want to follow the Youth Olympic Games, we presume it won't have the same impact as the Olympic Games.

"For performing their task of following the Youth Olympic Games, journalists will have all the necessary tools.

"We hope that the discussion about what internet sites journalists can access will continue in the next four years. 

"But we don't believe this is a job for the International Olympic Committee."

However, Felli insisted Chinese authorities had guaranteed that every one who requires a visa to attend the event in an official capacity will receive it.

Meanwhile, Nanjing officials have promised not to overspend in a bid to match the achievements of Beijing.

"Everything is in place and we are all ready," said bid leader Zhu Shanlu. 

"There is no need to build new facilities because, based on what we have already, we can meet the International Olympic Committee's very high standards for their event."

More than 3,500 athletes are expected to take part in the event, in competitions spread across 26 sports.