Olympic Games: The race for the richest sports prize in the world - hosting the 2008 Olympic Games - got under way in Lausanne yesterday. The combatants - Toronto, Paris, Beijing, Osaka and Istanbul - each presented their cases with a lightning 10-minute presentation before the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) executive board.

"The race has begun," said IOC vice-president Thomas Bach. President Juan Antonio Samaranch justified the short time given to each candidate.

"We wanted the bidding committees to know all the executive board members and that we know them. Everything is very useful for them and us," said Samaranch.

The five cities have until next July to convince the 127 IOC members that they are the best candidates but unlike previous bidding cities, they are barred from inviting members to visit them.

The ban on visits was brought in after the Salt Lake City scandal which saw six members expelled and four others resigning. At the end of each presentation Samaranch reminded each of the cities to respect the new rules about bidding, a ban on visits and a ban on gifts.

Beijing, who remain the favourites after their narrow two-vote loss against Sydney to win the 2000 Games, were at pains to stress the city was far different from their bid eight years ago. "We have improved our plan of eight years ago in every way," said Wang Wei, one of the leaders of the Chinese bid. "Beijing is one of the fastest growing cities in the world."