Chinese Olympics: Death and Greed

Chinese officials are acknowledging that six workers have died building venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics over the past five years. Ding Zhenkuan, deputy chief of Beijing's Municipal Bureau of Work Safety, initially told reporters no deaths had taken place at the 91,000-seat National Stadium, known as the "Bird's Nest" and the site for the opening and closing ceremonies. He later acknowledged two died there and then added there were six worker deaths in total at all sites, without elaborating on the other four deaths.

The Sunday Times of London reported this month at least 10 workers had died at venues for the Beijing Olympics and said Chinese officials were covering up the accidents. The newspaper said Chinese authorities have covered up the deaths and doled out large payments to guarantee the silence of fellow workers who witnessed the accidents.

In "Olympic Greed," U.S. News last fall reported on corruption and shoddy construction work at Olympics venues.