Mercifully, Beijing is many thousands of miles away from Brighton.

But that should not stop us caring and caring ferociously, about a decision being taken by the International Olympic Committee today about choosing Beijing as the venue for the 2008 Olympic games.

Toronto and Paris are better alternatives.

However, the outgoing president, the controversial Juan Antonio Samaranch, who has headed the IOC for 21 years, is determined that Beijing should be the choice.

This is in spite of the fact that China has one of the world's worst human rights records.

Amnesty International's most recent report makes sickening reading.

China may not be the only country to execute criminals but it executes more than all the other countries in the world put together.

Mass executions have happened as a prelude to major events or public holidays as a warning to others.

While death penalty statistics are a state secret, many victims have been executed after confessions extracted under torture. Torture in jails is commonplace.

The Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 made the whole world aware of the Beijing regime's murderously ruthless attitude towards its people.

Thousands have been given long prison sentences after unfair trials for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association or religion.

It is to the shame of all of us that we watched China march into Tibet and did nothing while its forces slaughtered religious leaders and systematically destroyed the ancient culture.

We had no such inhibitions when Argentina made its move on the Falklands, when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait or when Slobodan Milosevich started his mayhem in the Balkans.

I have met Juan Antonio Samaranch at his headquarters in Lausanne in Switzerland and can confirm his reputation as a domineering, over-indulged personality who does not care to be challenged.

He and his cronies will be doing their utmost to railroad the 123 members of the IOC into a vote for Beijing.

There are huge corporate interests involved.

China, the world's most populous country, with more than a thousand million people, is a gigantic marketplace for the future.

Global business pressures on the IOC to take the road to Beijing will be almost irresistible.

Samaranch's supporters say the Olympic games will be a civilising influence on China, that taking them to Beijing will hasten political and social reform.

But the original, wholesome ideals of the games are long gone, tarnished by money, drugs, politics and over zealous nationalism. Samaranch and many members of the IOC have been widely criticised for their expenses fuelled, luxurious lifestyles.

The phrase from the Olympic Charter, 'respect for universal, fundamental ethical principles' has faded into the mists.

Nevertheless, the Olympics remain the world's greatest sporting circus.

But using them as bait to encourage murderous regimes to re-enter the civilised world is the ultimate cynicism.

It is utterly unacceptable.

China must find a new generation of inspired, reforming leaders before being handed such a golden accolade.