Nick Vehr, president of the organization trying to bring the 2012 Games to Cincinnati, said China winning the 2008 Olympics greatly enhances America's chances at landing the games in 2012.

        Mr. Vehr's Cincinnati 2012 is competing with seven others to become the “U.S. candidate city,” which will then compete internationally for the games.

        Toronto, for the 2008 Games announced Friday could be part of that international competition for the 2012 Games.

        “The competition will be intense and I would expect Toronto to be part of it,” Mr. Vehr said.

        Critics have said Cincinnati's bid could be hurt by the city's troubled race relations. Mr. Vehr says the city is working on its problems and doesn't believe the issue will torpedo the bid.

        Beijing winning the Games in 2008 “really puts some perspective on that,” he said. The Chinese government has been under intense worldwide criticism for human rights violations.

Associated Press coverage of the IOC decision

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