Abstract
This thesis presents the dispute about China as host country to the Olympic Games. First, the debate is introduced with its characteristic features: the actors, the positions and a comparative assessment of the changes between the first and the second Chinese bid to host the Olympic Games in 1992/93 and then in 2000/01. Thereafter, the thesis provides an analysis of the debate in a systematic way by investigating the debate itself and its foundations, preparing the ground for a normative assessment of China as host to the Olympic Games in 2008 and an evaluation of the IOC’s responsibility. Many questions relating to this subject are confronted: Why there was a debate about China hosting the Olympics, what actors have been involved in the debate, and what their positions are. A background chapter explains why the debate has come up by looking into the human rights situation in China, the Olympic legacy and previous hallmark events in China such as the Asian Games in 1990 and the UN Women's Conference in 1995. In chapter four an analysis of the most important arguments is conducted, categorizing them into four sub-groups; short-term and long-term, positive and negative effects. Finally, based on a normative discussion with human rights as an inherent measure and the Olympic Charter in mind, this thesis responds to whether China should host the Games and also puts forth a normative challenge for the IOC in preventing human rights violations.