Beijing organisers say Games will help China reform

By Karolos Grohmann

BEIJING (Reuters) - Beijing Games organisers raced to the International Olympic Committee's defence on Thursday amid a barrage of questions over protests, reporting curbs and human rights, saying the Games will help China open up and reform.

The IOC has been under constant criticism ever since awarding the Games to the Chinese capital in 2001 over Beijing's rights record, media restrictions and its foreign policies.

"I was secretary general of the bidding committee," Games Executive Vice President Wang Wei said after reporters pummelled IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies with questions on whether it was embarrassed to see China not keeping its promises of more freedom.

"I did say that the Olympic Games will help China open up and reform better," Wang said.

In 2001, China pledged complete media freedom and transparency during the Olympics. These promises have only partially been fulfilled.

"China is developing quickly. People enjoy more freedom and they have a lot to say. If you ask the ordinary Chinese on the street they will say the same," Wang said. "You have to believe the majority of the people otherwise you are misled."

International media have criticised the IOC for failing to ensure complete Internet access as initially promised and have questioned China's willingness to allow protests to be staged despite setting up specific protest parks.

Repeated requests for the number of applications that have been filed with authorities to stage protests have gone unanswered.

"I think China has been stepping forward," Wang said. "Everybody can see that the Olympic Games are a great platform. People are optimistic about their own future," he said, adding that pre-conceived notions of China by foreigners were not helping.

"I feel people come here to be critical. That doesn't mean we are not fulfilling our promises," Wang said. "I say the Games will open up the horizon about China."

Davies repeatedly responded to the question about whether the IOC was embarrassed by the missed promises by praising the quality of the Olympics.

"We are very pleased with how the organisers are putting up a great sports event," Davies said.

The IOC has insisted it is a sports organisation and not a human rights group and while the Games are a force for good the IOC is not responsible for solving political problems in a sovereign state.

(Editing by Nick Macfie)