''Any country getting the Games . . . its sportsmen would make a special effort because of performing in the ambit of their own country,'' he said.

''Look how well the Spanish sailing team did in Barcelona - it's human nature.

''Our sportsmen may be disappointed, which is to be expected, but it won't be long before they get back into their stride.'' Mr O' Sales would not speculate on why Beijing lost the bid and whether its record on human rights played a part.

But he said: ''No doubt there was a strong campaign in bringing about the human rights issue but no country in the world is without blemish.

''I have said before, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. There has been too much humbug and a sanctimonious attitude.'' Chief executive of the Hong Kong Sports Institute, Paul Brettell, while pleased for Sydney as a native Australian, said the decision was disappointing for both China and Hong Kong, but that it should be kept in perspective.

''One must not look at this as a rejection of Beijing but as an acceptance of Sydney,'' he said.

''Hong Kong has not lost anything and the support Hong Kong has given China during the campaign will only help to cement the already strong sporting relationship.'' He said top-level sport in Asia was a growth industry and by the time the next host city was selected in 1997 for the 2004 Games, Hong Kong and China would be even better placed to win the bid.

''We should just treat this as a delay, not a catastrophe,'' he said.