Tough act for London

LONDON 2012 organisers already face a tough task to match Beijing, according to British IOC member Sir Craig Reedie. The Scot said the standard of the facilities and the organisation in Beijing has "raised the bar" to a high level for London to reach.

The former chairman of the British Olympic Association, who is standing for election to the IOC's ruling executive board on Thursday, also insisted China's progress in opening up the country over the last seven years justified the IOC's decision to award Beijing the Games back in 2001.

Reedie said: "There is no doubt that the bar has now been raised higher for London – and that's before the Games have even started. When you look at the Olympic Village, all the facilities, the traffic management, the number of volunteers and the warmth of the welcome then you can only say the bar has been set very high already."

Reedie added: "I think it is a much better country now than it was in 2001, and I believe the Chinese have fulfilled many of the promises they made when they were bidding about improving human rights."