JOIE CHEN, CNN ANCHOR: In less than two months the International Olympic Committee will announce its choice for the city which will host the 2008 summer games. Word from IOC headquarters in Switzerland is that there are now three finalists and possibly one front-runner. CNN's Tom Mintier with the story.</s>TOM MINTIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There will not be a vote until July, but it now appears that Beijing, Paris and Toronto are still in the running, and Osaka and Istanbul are out. Outside Olympic headquarters in Lausanne, several dozen anti-China protesters voiced their displeasure. Because members of the International Olympic Committee, or IOC are now prevented from visiting potential sites for the 2008 Summer games, the preselection report carries plenty of weight. Before the Salt Lake City vote buying scandal, trips to perspectives cities were the norm: Not anymore.</s>HEIN VERBRUGGEN, CHAIRMAN, IOC EVALUATION COMMITTEE: In dealing with the bids from Paris, Toronto and Beijing, the commission is clear that none of them presents any particular major risk.</s>MINTIER: Beijing is seen by many as the front runner after losing out to Sydney by two votes for the 2000 games. One might read between the lines of the report to see how Beijing is favored to win.</s>VERBRUGGEN: We believe that Beijing games would leave a unique legacy to China and to sport and we are very confident that Beijing could organize excellent games.</s>MINTIER: The IOC document did not deal with matters political or China's human rights record. It did note the process and pace of change in China and the fact that environmental challenges in China are being dealt with by the government. The final selection of the summer games location will be made in Moscow on July 13 at the IOC executive board meeting. Also on the agenda that day would be the selection of a new IOC president. After 21 years, Juan Antonio Samaranch will be stepping down. Tom Mintier, CNN, London.
Three Finalists and One Front-Runner for 2008 Games