OSAKA -- Osaka took a big step forward in realizing its dream of hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics on Monday when it was listed among five final candidate cities.
The International Olympic Committee, meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, announced that Osaka, Beijing, Toronto, Paris and Istanbul would compete to host the Games; a winner will be announced next July.
Strong overseas competition, low international recognition and concern about what the Games would do to the city's precarious finances have put a damper on public enthusiasm in Osaka, with polls showing public support for the bid lagging behind that of its competitors.