BJ's bid for the Olympic Games has touched the hearts of more than a billion Chinese.

Coincidentally, with Sydney out of the tournament and one less city to state, the secret ballot will be held two hours earlier. The International Olympic Committee held a one-night meeting because of the "bribery scandal", and many elderly members urgently need to rest, and the final results will be announced two hours in advance.

The time difference between Monaco, the "pocket country" in Europe, and BJ is exactly 6 hours, which means that the final decision to host the 2000 Olympic Games will be announced around 0:00 BJ time.

Because of this, tens of thousands of representatives of various government organs, mass organizations, colleges and universities, and units stationed in Beijing in the capital began to rush to TAM Square one after another at 4:30 p.m., and people waited with great excitement for the news of Monte Carlo while watching the "special party for the Olympic bid" as if it were Chinese New Year's Eve.

Neixuan is too hot, and I can't cool down if I want to.

Although it was clear that China had great hopes, the old man was still a little uneasy, and it was already past nine o'clock in the evening, and he still insisted on sitting in the living room and waiting for the final result.

"Vice Premier Li said on the phone that the right to host the event must be ours, and the only suspense is whether to win the first round or the second round. Old man, you can rest assured that you will go back to your room to rest, and I will inform you as soon as the results are announced. ”

The old man's body is more important than anything else, Zheng Ming doesn't want to mess with his schedule because of this, and has persuaded him no less than six times since he finished dinner.

The old man glared at him, put down the teacup and said, "Until the last moment, who dares to guarantee that BJ can win the right to host the event?" ”

Zheng Ming was very confident in this, picked up a copy of the latest news sent back by the delegation, leaned into his ear and said loudly: "I didn't dare yesterday." But now it's pretty much certain. The last speaker in the morning was Manchester. British Prime Minister John Major attended in person. Trying to get more votes with his political weight.

Two British female commissioners, Princess Anne and Hagrid, also took part in the presentation, although they did not garner more sympathy and support for Manchester. Scott, the chairman of the Manchester Committee, was a theatre manager who was adept at using theatrical means, and even brought a group of drummers in old costumes, including the Scottish bagpipers, into the venue to play them, but it was no avail.

British Prime Minister John Major's proclamatory remarks began by touting his love of sports, emphasizing his country's consistent support for the Olympic Movement and pointing out that Yugoslav athletes would be allowed to be allowed to open up the United Nations network. Participation in the 25th Olympic Games in Barcelona was a special contribution made by Great Britain.

However, in terms of government support and sincere expressions, it is far from ours. At the end of their presentations, the members raised four administrative questions; At the end of our presentation, the five members and the presidents of the four individual international organizations all asked questions, which showed that the IOC was very interested in BJ, and at the same time gave us more opportunities to elaborate on our views, positions and practices. ”

The old man pondered for a moment, and suddenly smiled: "Facts have proved that the international public relations strategy and statement plan formulated by the 'Bidding Committee' for the 'Olympic Bidding Committee' are right, and Hong Kong compatriots have made a great contribution to BJ's bid for the Olympic Games!" ”

"yes. If it weren't for their help, I really don't know who would have died this time. ”

Zheng Ming took a deep breath. He continued: "In the eyes of others, Sydney's last-minute exit seems to have nothing to do with them, in fact, if it were not for their full assistance, the 'Olympic Bidding Committee' used the last two months to launch wave after wave of international propaganda offensives, trying to close the gap between BJ and Sydney, bringing great pressure to Australia, and the Australian delegation would not have caused a bribery scandal."

In addition, according to Vice Premier Li's speculation, this matter is inseparable from our little friend. He may well have been waiting for Sydney to make a mistake before seizing the opportunity to deliver a last-minute blow to Sydney. ”

The scandal broke with two independent German journalists who don't even believe in ghosts if they have nothing to do with BNB News.

The old man thought for a while and said meaningfully: "Iron striking has to be its own, and we should be happy to win the right to hold it, but we should also sum up the lessons and lessons." When the delegation returns, they should all think about how much hope we have of winning the right to host the Olympics if we don't intervene in time if the 'Bid Committee' has not intervened in time, if we have publicized and stated it in the same way as before, if we have not been able to eliminate the 'boycott of the Atlanta Olympics' in time, and if Australia has not made a mistake. ”

Thinking that it is one thing to win the right to host the event, it is another thing to successfully hold such an international event, and there will be more work to be done next, Zheng Ming nodded thoughtfully.

At this time, the phone rang again.

Zheng Ming hurriedly reached out to pick it up, the content was equally exciting, it turned out that the Turkish representative who was the last to make a statement was not confident, and the whole statement was unremarkable, and it was even shorter than the scheduled 45 minutes.

At the same time, Liu Siwei and his wife, You Shaojun and Zhang Lin also gathered at the top of Taiping Mountain to watch TV with Xia Yao while waiting for news from Monte Carlo.

From the time after dinner to the present, Ding Aiguo, who is far away in his hometown in Nanbin, Chen Shikang in the Xiangjiang Special Economic Zone, Wang Yuanzheng and Gu Xinyuan in the army, and other relatives and friends have called one after another to inquire about the latest news.

Zhang Lin simply became an operator, put down the phone and shook his head and said with a wry smile: "It's Uncle Ding's again, and when I heard the tone, I knew that this time it was the city leader who asked what celebration my hometown must be planning." ”

The little guy is very easy to bring, he sleeps when he eats, eats when he wakes up, and doesn't cry or make trouble.

Xia Yao, who had just gone upstairs to see his son, hugged Xiao Zhangqing and said with a smile: "Consultant of the Nanbin Municipal People's Government, he doesn't ask who to ask?" ”

The two sons have their father-in-law and mother-in-law, and Zhang Hui, who has become a big idler, took a bite of the fruit and said: "Ask or not, until the last moment, who knows the final result?" ”

After presenting the charter, they rushed to the hotel where the delegation was staying and made various preparations for BJ to win the right to host the event. I'm so busy that I can't always make a phone call home.

But Jan Joseph has been on the sidelines at the IOC press center, bringing them the latest Monte Carlo news every 30 minutes. It can be said that they are the most well-informed people in Hong Kong, except for the headquarters of the "Bidding Committee" and the two major local television stations.

Think of the last call back from Jan Joseph. Liu Siwei couldn't help but smile: "Istanbul is not to worry. The whole role of accompanying the prince to study. Conditions in Berlin are also average. Now it's Manchester. ”

Su Xingyun didn't care much about foreign affairs, and he hadn't been to school for a few days, so he didn't even know where Istanbul was, so he asked with a puzzled face: "Brother-in-law, Istanbul really doesn't pose a threat to us?" ”

"Hmm."

Liu Siwei smiled and patiently explained: "Istanbul is not only the same as BJ, it is the first time to bid, and there is no experience in international public relations. And there are no big sports stars as ambassadors. There are no representative figures like the charter to help shout and cheer, there is no large-scale comprehensive sports event, strength is not good, public relations is not good, connections are not good, and word of mouth is not good.

What's more, the Turkish Muslin is overwhelmingly majority, and religious beliefs pose a series of problems. On the safe side, IOC members will naturally be reminded of who caused the 'Munich Olympics' in Germany. There will be fears that some Ilan militant groups will take advantage of the Olympics. Tossed out some incidents.

Politically, Israel will definitely participate in the Olympics. And how many Muslim countries can accept that there is an Israeli national anthem played and an Israeli flag fluttering in the Islan world? Although Turkey is secularized and does not belong to the Arab countries, no one can guarantee that the Arab countries will not resist it. ”

"There's also the dietary factor."

You Shaojun, the second aunt of the Zhang family, put down the remote control and added with a smile: "If Istanbul is allowed to be held, then athletes from other countries must not be allowed to eat non-Mu Slin food, right?" In addition, Turkey restricts alcohol, and alcohol advertising is one of the main revenues of the Olympic Games.

There are so many issues to consider that there is no precedent in the history of the Olympic Movement for being held in the country of Muslin. It can be said that not only Turkey is not ready, but the IOC is not ready to host the Olympics in the country of Muslin. ”

Su Xingyun was happy, and couldn't help laughing: "Since you know that there is no hope at all, what else do you want to apply?" ”

"Brother-in-law, you can't say that."

Xia Yao sat down next to Zhang Lin and said with a smile: "If you don't bid, Mu Slin Country will never have a chance." It's like a piece of ice, you need to keep beating it, not once, twice, twice, three times, and only through unremitting efforts can this wish be realized. ”

Xia Ning asked curiously, "What about Berlin?" ”

Zhang Lin has the most say in this question, she analyzed it carefully: "Berlin has two problems that cannot be bypassed, one is that the population is too small, you didn't go to Karl Marx Strasse to see, such a wide road is empty, how deserted and how deserted, the IOC will definitely consider who the tickets will be sold to in the future, and whether anyone will watch the game?"

Then there is the 'bribery incident' that naturally reminds people of the scandals that have occurred in the history of the Olympic Games, the largest of which involves Berlin, where Hitler used the Olympics to promote the great power of Nazi Germany and the theory of the superiority of the Aryan race. ”

Xia Ning asked again: "So that's all there is to Manchester?" ”

"The UK has already held it twice, and Manchester is not as good as BJ in terms of government support, and even with the support of all the Commonwealth National Commissioners, there is not much hope."

While they were discussing, the IOC was holding a final secret ballot.

The scrutineers were Senegalese Commissioner Mbay, Swiss Commissioner Hodler and United States Commissioner de Franz. In the past, Member He was one of the three scrutineers many times, but this time, because of BJ's bid, in accordance with the principle of recusal, he was replaced by De Franz. The ticket collector consisted of four people: Nath of Thailand, Rogge of Belgium, Oswald of Switzerland, and Sheikh Ahmed of Kuwait.

When the collector opened the invoice, the members found that the ballot paper had a number printed on the top corner, which was a foolish act done by the Secretariat in order to make it easier to check the number of votes issued.

In such fierce competition, most members don't want others to know who they voted for. After all, everyone's seat is fixed, and it is entirely possible to figure out who votes from the numbers on the ballot.

Canadian Commissioner Pound, who is brilliant and picky, was the first to suggest that there should be no numbers on the ballot. The committee members agreed one after another. This episode undoubtedly increased the tension in the room, and Chairman Samaranch, who had already been troubled by the "bribery incident", was extremely dissatisfied with this oversight of the secretariat and ordered an immediate change.

After the first round. Not only did the scrutineers not pack the ballot papers in open envelopes, as is customary. Instead, the envelope containing the ballot paper was sealed. And fill out the results of the counting on a slip of paper and stuff it into another envelope, seal it before handing it to Chairman Samaranch.

This means that some cities have already received more than half of the votes in the first round of voting! There is no need for a second round, no third round, and no need for Chairman Samaranch to cast his crucial vote when the two bidding cities receive the same number of votes.

Committee member He was overjoyed, and saw that the scrutineer Mbayi glanced at him intentionally or unintentionally, and he was even more sure of his previous judgment. At this time. President Samaranch stood up and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I think we can rest for a while. ”

At half past five, all the members went to the Louis II Stadium to participate in the announcement of the voting results, and they could rest for two and a half hours. However, such a clean voting process made it impossible for any of the committee members who had not rested for more than 30 hours to sleep.

As soon as he walked into the lounge, an African member shook hands with He and said with a smile: "Mr. He, it seems that BJ has won the right to host the event." ”

"How do you know?" Committee member He suppressed the excitement in his heart and said quietly: "Maybe it's Manchester." Until the envelope is opened, it is difficult to determine who wins. ”

Inogu, the Japanese commissioner with whom he had the best personal friend. Looking back at the British commissioner with a frustrated face, he leaned into his ear and whispered: "Who can win in the first round except BJ, China won, there is no suspense." ”

Although the information here is not allowed to be revealed, it is clear to everyone that with Sydney's exit, BJ is the city most likely to win the 2000 Olympics. It is for this reason that the Chinese delegation has to make all kinds of preparations after the announcement of the results.

"Secretary General Wei, the time is almost up, we are waiting for your news."

In order to ensure that nothing went wrong, Secretary General Wei had to wait at the door of the hotel, as originally planned, which was the place where Commissioner He had to pass from the venue to the Louis II Stadium. If the bid is successful, he will smile and nod his head; In the event of an accident, he will not show any expression and turn his face away.

As soon as Secretary-General Wei walked out of the room, Secretary Chen continued: "Mr. Gu, please leave it to you over there in the gymnasium." ”

The corridor of the stadium is narrow, and the live broadcast rooms of China Y TV, BNB News Network, BJ TV, and Hong Kong's two major television stations are on the first floor.

This is the work of the 'Bidding Committee' and the volunteers of various chambers of commerce, as the general dispatch of the support group, the eldest son of the Gu family got up and said: "Everyone, please rest assured, we will ensure that the corridor is unblocked." ”

When BJ won the right to host the 2000 Olympic Games in Monte Carlo, it was customary to hold a celebration banquet in Monte Carlo, not only for all IOC members, but also for the heads of state and senior officials of the host countries.

The 1918 Franco-Moroccan Treaty of Relations, on the other hand, stipulates that any action taken by Monaco in international relations must be subject to prior consultation with France. In other words, Monaco does not have the right to formally establish diplomatic relations with the outside world, and China cannot have diplomatic relations with Monaco, so these tasks can only be entrusted to the Chinese ambassador to France.

Invitations, hotels, food and drinks...... After all the work was arranged, Vice Premier Li turned around and asked, "Mr. Zhang, do you have anything to add?" ”

There must not be a small mistake at the last moment, the charter pondered for a moment, raised his head and said: "Vice Premier Li, Secretary Chen, Vice Mayor Yang, after the results are announced, our seats will definitely boil instantly, and everyone will even hug and celebrate unwillingly." Excitement is excitement, joy is joy, but you can't forget about the signing. ”

After the results were announced, the main officials of the winning host city had to go to the voting venue to sign the host city contract with the IOC, and as the charter reminded, the big guys would get carried away with the joy and could really forget to sign the contract.

Vice Premier Li thought deeply and solemnly admonished: "Everyone has heard that the more this time comes, the more sober our minds must be, every detail must be taken into account, and no jokes can be made." ”

"Vice Premier Li, we'll pay attention."

To everyone's surprise, the charter raised his arm and glanced at the time, and then said apologetically: "Vice Premier Li, Secretary Chen, Vice Mayor Yang, there is only so much I can do for the Olympic bid, and continuing to stay in Monte Carlo will not help much, so I plan to return to Hong Kong later." ”

"Back to Hong Kong?"

"Mr. Zhang, don't you wait for the results to be announced?"

"There's a lot going on in the lab, so let's not wait, and I'm sure the results won't disappoint us."

When I went to BJ, I didn't have a reception banquet, and now I don't even plan to participate in the celebration banquet, Secretary Chen was completely dumbfounded, and blurted out: "Mr. Zhang, no matter how busy you are, it's not bad for a day or two, right?" You are the hero of the Olympic bid, and you can't do it without you in exciting moments! ”

There are so many multimedia reporters in the gymnasium, and they have to accept endless interviews when they go, and they don't want to stay in Monte Carlo for a minute, holding Vice Premier Li's hand, and turning around: "Secretary Chen, I really have something very important, my colleagues from the European company have rented a helicopter, and they are waiting to take me to Nice Airport." ”

Ambassador Zhao couldn't help but say: "Mr. Zhang, there are very few flights at Nice Airport, and now there may only be one to Paris." ”

The charter said lightly: "NB Airlines has sent a business jet and is waiting for me at the airport in Nice." ”

He left at this time, not because he was worried about BJ's failure and felt faceless, looking at his resolute face, Vice Premier Li asked in a low voice: "Mr. Zhang, what is so important?" ”

What could be more important than the Olympic bid, this is undoubtedly the common idea of everyone.

However, the charter had already been prepared, and Vice Premier Li was invited aside to explain in a low voice: "Last September, several of my professor friends received letters of invitation to the Nobel Prize, asking them to recommend candidates for this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Without exception, they recommended a chemist from the Department of Basic Research in our laboratory, and the hope was very high, and the demand was very high, and the final winner was announced in a few days, and as the founder of the laboratory, I couldn't help but be prepared. ”

"Really?" This matter is not one or two points of importance, Vice Premier Li, who is in charge of education, culture and sports, was taken aback.

"Really."

The charter nodded slightly, and said with a smile: "The mountain is not high, and if there is an immortal, it is famous." Vice Premier Li, our laboratory lacks nothing, just a few Nobel Prizes to be strong, since there is this opportunity, there is this hope, of course I can't let him run, after all, many things are better done in front. ”

How could Vice Premier Li not know what this meant for the NB laboratory, and suddenly laughed and said: "Well, you can't usually not burn incense, and find Lao Zhang if you have something." Mr. Zhang, then I won't keep you, I wish you a smooth journey, and I also wish the scientists in your laboratory to win the highest honor in the scientific community. ”

"Thank you, thank you for your understanding."

Sending the charter to the door, thinking of what he had done for the Olympic bid in the past two months, Vice Premier Li had no leader's reserve, hugged him and said: "Mr. Zhang, thank you very, very much for your support to the country. (To be continued......)